hypocritical

American  

[hip-uh-krit-i-kuhl] / ˌhɪp əˈkrɪt ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. of the nature of hypocrisy, or pretense of having virtues, beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually possess.

   The parent who has a “do what I say and not what I do” attitude can appear hypocritical to a child.

2. possessing the characteristics of hypocrisy.

   Isn't a politician hypocritical for talking about human dignity while voting against reasonable social programs?

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Other Word Forms

• hypocritically adverb
• unhypocritical adjective
• unhypocritically adverb

Etymology

Origin of hypocritical

First recorded in 1515–25; equivalent to Greek hypokritik(ós) (from hypokritḗs “a stage actor” + -ikós -ic ( def. ) ) + -al ¹ ( def. ); hypocrite ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Beijing is also deeply suspicious of Takaichi and are likely to view her attempts to de-escalate without explicitly retracting her comments as hypocritical or, even worse, strategically deceptive," they added.

From BBC

"The smears being thrown against her are reprehensible and hypocritical," Rupert McNeil, former head of HR at the Civil Service said recently.

From BBC

It’s always difficult to make a series or film that explores the pressures of fame and media-fed public interest without seeming hypocritical.

From Los Angeles Times

"Looks like a nerve was well and truly hit," said one person, while another called his post "hypocritical".

From BBC

Mom and dad are opting to scroll in secret lest they be accused of being hypocritical for telling their children to get off their screens.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• deceptive
• duplicitous
• false
• insincere
• sanctimonious
• self-righteous
• unnatural