insincere
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of insincere
1625–35; < Latin insincērus tainted, dishonest; see in- 3, sincere
Explanation
Someone who's insincere is a little bit fake or phony. Your classmate's insincere apology for interrupting you probably sounds like she doesn't really mean it. When you're insincere, you're not being completely honest. A losing politician often gives an insincere-sounding concession speech, and a teacher who's having a terrible day might wear an insincere smile on her face. The adjective sincere, "coming from genuine, honest feelings," is at the root of insincere — the Latin prefix in, or "not," is combined with sincerus, "sound, pure, or whole."
Vocabulary lists containing insincere
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 6
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"All those things may be insincere or dishonest in their own ways, but at least there's something," he said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026
Some students questioned this approach, saying it seemed insincere to say something just to appease someone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026
As impressed with “The Drama” as I am, it would be insincere not to look at Borgli’s film in a wider context.
From Salon ● Apr. 3, 2026
The apology still drew criticism, with some calling it "insincere" given it was written in Finnish.
From BBC ● Dec. 16, 2025
The exclamation point made Rita seem untrustworthy, or, at the very least, insincere.
From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
