hypocritical

adjective

hyp·​o·​crit·​i·​cal ˌhi-pə-ˈkri-ti-kəl 

: characterized by behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel : characterized by hypocrisy

said that it was hypocritical to demand respect from students without respecting them in return

a hypocritical gesture of modesty and virtue

—Robert Graves

also : being a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings : being a hypocrite

hypocritically

ˌhi-pə-ˈkri-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• artificial
• backhanded
• counterfeit
• double
• double-dealing
• double-faced
• fake
• feigned
• insincere
• Janus-faced
• jive [slang]
• left-handed
• lip
• mealy
• mealymouthed
• Pecksniffian
• phony
• phoney
• phony-baloney
• phoney-baloney
• pretended
• two-faced
• unctuous

Examples of hypocritical in a Sentence

it's hypocritical to say mean things behind someone's back, and then to act nice when you want something from her

Recent Examples on the Web

Jamie Bernstein considers the attitude hypocritical. —Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025

There are several moments in which Stewart comes off as hypocritical and lacking self-awareness. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

Being judgmental was also evaluated very negatively, as it was often perceived as being self-righteous or hypocritical. —Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024

His son's post was not received well by all, with some viewing it as aggressive toward other nations and hypocritical when Republicans have been vocal against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

hypocritic "of a hypocrite" (borrowed from Medieval Latin hypocriticus, borrowed from Greek hypokritikós "of acting, skilled in rhetorical delivery," from hypokritḗs "answerer, actor on a stage" + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1 — more at hypocrite

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined above