hypocrite
Americannoun
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a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that they do not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
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a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie their public statements.
noun
Other Word Forms
- hypocritical adjective
- hypocritically adverb
- superhypocrite noun
Etymology
Origin of hypocrite
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English ipocrite from Old French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritḗs “a stage actor,” hence “one who pretends to be what he is not,” equivalent to hypokrī(nesthai) ( hypocrisy ) + -tēs agent suffix
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.
While historians often portray Cromwell as “a hypocrite or a double-dealer,” here he’s a dexterous politician, a pragmatic and adaptable leader who “could ride two horses at once, while advancing three agendas.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
In a July 4, 2013, email to Nikolic, Epstein wrote: “Bill risks going from richest man to biggest hypocrite, melinda a laughing stock, pledges will disappear as a result.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
She had seen some of Watt's YouTube videos at the protests and described him as "a hypocrite".
From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025
He’s a soulless hypocrite, another of today’s clout-seeking grifters.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2025
“Yes, mortal,” I say, like the hypocrite I am.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
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.
