Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Behaving in a way that suggests one has moral standards or beliefs that one does not actually possess; characterized by hypocrisy. It describes a person, action, or statement that feigns virtue, piety, or good intentions while concealing contradictory feelings or motives.

Usage and Examples

• General Usage:
  • His apology seemed hypocritical because he continued the same behavior.
  • It is hypocritical to condemn dishonesty while telling lies yourself.
  • She gave him a hypocritical smile, hiding her true disappointment.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Societal/Institutional Hypocrisy: The term can describe collective or systemic pretense.
  • The company's hypocritical commitment to the environment was exposed by the pollution scandal.
• Rhetorical Hypocrisy: Used to critique arguments perceived as insincere.
  • The politician's speech was a hypocritical appeal to family values.

Variants and Related Words

• Hypocrisy (noun): The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; the state of being hypocritical.
  • The hypocrisy of the situation was evident to everyone.
• Hypocrite (noun): A person who indulges in hypocrisy.
  • He called his critic a hypocrite.

Synonyms

• Insincere: Not expressing genuine feelings.
• Two-faced: Insincere and deceitful.
• Pharisaical (formal): Hypocritically self-righteous and pious.
• Sanctimonious: Making a show of being morally superior to others.

Antonyms

• Sincere: Free from pretense or deceit.
• Genuine: Truly what something is said to be; authentic.
• Forthright: Direct and outspoken.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Practice what you preach: An idiom urging someone to act in accordance with the advice they give to others, often used to call out hypocritical behavior.
  • If you're going to lecture us on punctuality, you should practice what you preach.

Adjective

1. professing feelings or virtues one does not have
   • hypocritical praise