hypocrisy
/hi'pɔkrəsi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense. It is the act of pretending to be virtuous, pious, or morally upright while acting in a contrary manner.
- The state or quality of being hypocritical. It describes the condition of a person (a hypocrite) who engages in such pretense.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- His constant preaching about honesty was exposed as sheer hypocrisy when he was caught lying.
- The politician's public concern for the environment was seen as hypocrisy, given his investments in polluting industries.
- She could not tolerate the hypocrisy of those who condemned gossip but eagerly participated in it.
Advanced Usage
- "to be a mask of hypocrisy": to serve as a false front for hypocritical behavior.
- His friendly demeanor was just a mask of hypocrisy.
- "to lay bare the hypocrisy": to reveal or expose the hypocritical nature of something.
- The documentary laid bare the hypocrisy of the corporation's charitable claims.
Variants and Related Words
- Hypocrite (n): a person who engages in hypocrisy.
- He was labeled a hypocrite for his contradictory actions.
- Hypocritical (adj): behaving in a way that suggests one has higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case.
- It was hypocritical of her to criticize others for being late.
- Hypocritically (adv): in a hypocritical manner.
- He smiled hypocritically while planning his revenge.
Synonyms
- Duplicity: deceitfulness, double-dealing.
- Insincerity: the quality of not expressing genuine feelings.
- Pretense: an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true.
- Sanctimony: hypocritical righteousness or piety.
Related Phrases
- "The height of hypocrisy": an extreme or glaring example of hypocritical behavior.
- For him to lecture on frugality was the height of hypocrisy.
- "A touch of hypocrisy": a slight or subtle element of hypocrisy.
- There was a touch of hypocrisy in his sudden concern for formality.
Related Idioms
- "To practice what you preach": (This is the antithesis of hypocrisy) to act in accordance with the advice you give to others.
- A good leader must practice what they preach to avoid accusations of hypocrisy.
Noun
- insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
- an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction