hypocritical
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
possessing the characteristics of hypocrisy.
Isn't a politician hypocritical for talking about human dignity while voting against reasonable social programs?
Other Word Forms
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. ); see hypocrite ( def. )
Explanation
Hypocritical involves acting in a way that goes against your stated beliefs. If you drive drunk despite the fact that you are the president of Students Against Drunk Driving, you are truly hypocritical. Hypocritical comes from the Greek hypokritikos which means acting a part. The word comes up most often when discussing political and religious figures who are sometimes caught engaging in behavior that goes against their professed beliefs. A person who engages in hypocritical behavior could be called a hypocrite, their behavior, an act of hypocrisy.
Vocabulary lists containing hypocritical
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
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"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story
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Fake It 'Til You Make It: Synonyms for "False"
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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.
"That raises an eyebrow about this from the American embassy. Hypocritical really."
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025
Conway also tweeted a link to the video and said: "Make America Not Hypocritical."
From Fox News • Jan. 9, 2020
“Pay attention when you walk on the street,” wrote Hypocritical Human.
From New York Times • Mar. 4, 2010
Olympics team and an outspoken critic of Brundage, likes to don her skis to demonstrate the "Hypocritical Position" �knees bent and right arm extended backward with the hand cupped to receive "the under-the-table payments."
From Time Magazine Archive
Huts erected on graves for use of ghosts, 150 sq.; erected on graves, 203, 223, 248, 259, 275, 293, 294 Hypocritical lamentations at a death, 273 —— indignation of accomplice at a murder, 280 sqq.
From The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead, Volume I (of 3) The Belief Among the Aborigines of Australia, the Torres Straits Islands, New Guinea and Melanesia by Frazer, James George, Sir
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.
