hypocrisy

[ hi-pok-ruh-see ]

/ hɪˈpɒk rə si /

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noun, plural hy·poc·ri·sies.

a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.

a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.

an act or instance of hypocrisy.

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Origin of hypocrisy

1175–1225; Middle English ipocrisie<Old French <Late Latin hypocrisis<Greek hypókrisis play acting, equivalent to hypokrī́(nesthai) to play a part, explain (hypo-hypo- + krī́nein to distinguish, separate) + -sis-sis; h- (reintroduced in 16th century) <Latin and Greek

synonym study for hypocrisy

1. See duplicity.

OTHER WORDS FROM hypocrisy

hy·per·hy·poc·ri·sy, noun

Words nearby hypocrisy

hypocorism, hypocoristic, hypocorticoidism, hypocotyl, hypocrinism, hypocrisy, hypocrite, hypocritical, hypocrystalline, hypocupremia, hypocycloid

How to use hypocrisy in a sentence

Jamie Grant, R-Tampa, accused them of hypocrisy and misleading voters.
In Florida, the Gutting of a Landmark Law Leaves Few Felons Likely to Vote|by Lawrence Mower and Langston Taylor, Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times|October 7, 2020|ProPublica
This refusal to acknowledge the existence of more than 15 million LGBTQ people, 5 percent of the populace and residents of every ZIP code in America, shows a paralyzing hypocrisy.
LGBTQ: The letters Republicans didn’t utter|Hans Johnson|September 11, 2020|Washington Blade
Quasimodo is the only one who can unmask him and reveal his hypocrisy to the world.
Toward a queer Disney canon|Emily VanDerWerff|September 4, 2020|Vox
“And though we do not lack for examples of Jones’ peculiar blend of hypocrisy and stupidity, we should note that he also serves on the state senate’s Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response,” the board wrote.
Sacramento Report: Jones, COVID-19 and the Irony of Remote Voting|Sara Libby and Jesse Marx|August 28, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Instead, aim her fire at the bigotry and hypocrisy facing her across the stage.
Harris should make Pence’s bigotry an issue|James Driscoll|August 28, 2020|Washington Blade
He had a fine eye for moral hypocrisy, and I know that a glaring example of it would not have escaped his notice.
How Richard Pryor Beat Bill Cosby and Transformed America|David Yaffe, Scott Saul|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Looking to make up some ground in the race, she ran an ad targeting the perceived hypocrisy of her opponent, Greg Abbott.
The Strangest, Cheesiest, Most Brazenly False Political Ads of 2014|Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And there is always the easy-but-true charge of Hollywood hypocrisy.
Russell Brand’s Revolution For Morons|Michael Moynihan|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These men were plagued by a familiar hypocrisy that all of us have (or will have) experienced.
The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson (And Tolstoy and Dickens)|Samuel Fragoso|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He shows us the hypocrisy where in some contexts these very words are socially acceptable and at other times they are verboten.
Why George Carlin Deserves His Own Street|Kevin Bartini|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Aunty Rosa could penetrate certain kinds of hypocrisy, but not all.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
Thus, where such pure, noble feelings do not exist, the mere forms of politeness become hypocrisy and deceit.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
Yet the Clarion opposes sweating and tyranny and hypocrisy, and does its best to defeat and to destroy them.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
His Last Week|William E. Barton
On no subject is there more hypocrisy amongst big men in England.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for hypocrisy

hypocrisy

/ (hɪˈpɒkrəsɪ) /

noun plural -sies

the practice of professing standards, beliefs, etc, contrary to one's real character or actual behaviour, esp the pretence of virtue and piety

an act or instance of this

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

hypocrisy

Origin of hypocrisy

synonym study for hypocrisy

OTHER WORDS FROM hypocrisy

Words nearby hypocrisy

Words related to hypocrisy

How to use hypocrisy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hypocrisy