Definition

1. 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

1. insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
2. an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction