insincere

[in-sin-seer]

adjective

1. not sincere; not honest in the expression of actual feeling; hypocritical.

   Synonyms: two-faced, guileful, disingenuous, deceitful

insincere

/ ˌɪnsɪnˈsɪə, ˌɪnsɪnˈsɛrɪtɪ /

adjective

1. lacking sincerity; hypocritical

Other Word Forms

• insincerely adverb
• insincerity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insincere¹

1625–35; < Latin insincērus tainted, dishonest; in- ³, sincere

Example Sentences

The twins were as bad-tempered and cruel as Veronika was vain and insincere.

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One senses in these endeavors a not insincere overreaction that substitutes for political action, shifting responsibility onto potential victims and accepting the problem as intractable.

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Encouraged to reveal themselves “authentically,” stars can find themselves prodded by fans to comment on current events and excoriated when they refuse or respond in a way that certain followers consider insincere or politically incorrect.

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Although multiple former Japanese leaders have offered their apologies and remorse, many South Koreans regard these sentiments as insincere or insufficient without formal acknowledgement.

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In response, Allister said: "If Claire is trying to pretend that I am insincere in my condemnation of violence then I utterly repudiate and indeed resent that comment."

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Related Words

• deceitful 
• devious 
• disingenuous 
• evasive 
• false 
• hypocritical 
• phony 
• untruthful