hollow-hearted

A politician gave a hollow-hearted promise to the crowd.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Insincere or deceitful: "hollow-hearted" describes a person who lacks genuine feeling or sincerity, acting in a false or dishonest manner.
   • Lacking genuine emotion: It refers to an attitude or behavior that is empty of true warmth, kindness, or integrity.

Usage Examples

• (The apology was insincere and dishonest.)
• (His promises lacked genuine commitment or truth.)
• (The speech was empty of real feeling or sincerity.)

Advanced Usage

• "a hollow-hearted smile": a smile that does not reflect genuine happiness or kindness.

  • He offered a hollow-hearted smile as he turned away. (The smile was fake and lacked warmth.)

• "hollow-hearted laughter": laughter that is forced or insincere.

  • Their hollow-hearted laughter echoed in the empty room. (The laughter was artificial, not joyful.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hollow-heartedness (noun): the quality of being insincere or deceitful.

  • The hollow-heartedness of his character was evident to all. (His lack of sincerity was obvious.)

• Hollow-hearted (adv): rarely used as an adverb; typically used as an adjective.

Synonyms

• Insincere: not expressing genuine feelings.
• Deceitful: dishonest; intended to mislead.
• Two-faced: acting in a double-dealing way.
• False: not true or genuine.

Related Idioms

• A wolf in sheep's clothing: someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous or deceitful.

  • He seemed kind, but he was a wolf in sheep's clothing — hollow-hearted and manipulative. (He hid his true, insincere nature.)

• To wear a mask: to hide one's true feelings or intentions.

  • She wore a mask of friendship, but her hollow-hearted nature eventually showed. (She pretended to be friendly while being insincere.)