insincere

adjective

in·​sin·​cere ˌin-sin-ˈsir 

-sən-

: not sincere : hypocritical

insincerely adverb

insincerity

ˌin-sin-ˈser-ə-tē 

 also  -ˈsir-

noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of insincere in a Sentence

He said he was sorry, but I could tell that he was being insincere.

the insincere compliments of a spiteful gossip

Recent Examples on the Web

Others offered themselves as mediators in the sincere (or insincere) hope of minimizing the war’s direct and ancillary costs or even of ending it altogether. —Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024

That’s not to say there’s no room for course-correction — Karen’s frenemy Gizelle Bryant suddenly learning how to apologize this season is a good example — but that a sudden personality transplant reads as insincere. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024

Besides fighting tooth and nail over painting one another as insincere, the candidates’ focus on union support is also at the forefront of this race. —Maya Marchel Hoff, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024

Jurado, a tenant rights attorney, has blasted De León’s apologies as insincere. —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin insincerus, from in- + sincerus sincere

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

insincere

adjective

in·​sin·​cere ˌin(t)-sin-ˈsi(ə)r 

: not sincere : hypocritical

insincerely adverb

insincerity

-ˈser-ət-ē 

 also  -ˈsir-

noun