hypocrisy

[hi-pok-ruh-see]

noun

plural

hypocrisies 

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

2. a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.

3. an act or instance of hypocrisy.

hypocrisy

/ hɪˈpɒkrəsɪ /

noun

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

2. an act or instance of this

Other Word Forms

• hyperhypocrisy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypocrisy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English ipocrisie, from Old French, from Late Latin hypocrisis, from Greek hypókrisis “play acting,” from hypokrī(nesthai)́ “to play a part, explain” (from hypo- hypo- + krī́nein “to distinguish, separate”) + -sis -sis

Synonym Study

See duplicity.

Example Sentences

In a stunning display of hypocrisy, the Senate reminded Americans that justice in this country is too often a matter of proximity to power.

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Exposing this hypocrisy to the public will be vital for the reform effort.

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And that was it, in sharp relief, the hypocrisy and riddle of college football: how to pull the brake when everyone’s on the same speeding train.

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He has checkmated establishment Republicans with their own cowardice and hypocrisy.

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So he founded the Enhanced Games to correct what he viewed as rampant hypocrisy that left athletes not only underpaid, but also limited in their potential by constantly shifting and arbitrary rules.

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Related Words

• bigotry 
• deceit 
• deception 
• dishonesty 
• duplicity 
• fraud 
• insincerity 
• mockery