Synonyms for

Hypocritical

Verb / ˌhɪpʌˈkrɪtɪkʌl / Another word for hypocritical — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

behaving in a way that suggests one has higher moral standards or more noble beliefs than is the case

Synonyms & similar words

insincere duplicitous deceitful dishonest pretentious false two-faced pharisaical sanctimonious holier-than-thou deceptive fraudulent double-dealing untrustworthy treacherous tricky slick sneaky underhanded sly

Synonyms by register

Formal

disingenuous sanctimonious self-righteous insincere

Informal

two-faced phony fake fakey

Literary

Janus-faced double-dealing

Antonyms

genuine sincere honest truthful authentic frank earnest

Common collocations

  • hypocritical statement
  • hypocritical behavior
  • hypocritical attitude
  • hypocritical act
  • hypocritical smile
  • hypocritical person

Word family

noun hypocrisy
adjective hypocritical
adverb hypocritically

Usage note

Often used to describe someone who claims to have moral standards but behaves in a way that contradicts them. It carries a strong negative connotation.

Example sentences

  1. The politician's hypocritical behavior was exposed by the media.
  2. It's hypocritical to tell someone they need to stop smoking while you're smoking yourself.
  3. The celebrity's hypocritical endorsement of a product she didn't actually use angered her fans.

Quotes

  • The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy. - William Hazlitt
  • Hypocrisy is not a way of getting back to the moral high ground. Pretending you're moral, saying you're moral is not the same as acting morally. - Alan Dershowitz
  • Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue. - Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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