hypocritical

adjective

hyp·o·crit·i·cal ˌhi-pə-ˈkri-ti-kəl

Synonyms of hypocritical next

: 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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

And to sit up there, man, and to be just blatantly hypocritical is funny and sickening at the same time. —

Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024 If an organization’s culture is aspirational rather than lived and practiced, the result is often a hypocritical, inauthentic hiring experience. —

Lori Landrum, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Beyond being misguided, those who have followed the career of Coach (now Senator) Tuberville know that these comments are highly hypocritical. —

Joe Sabin, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 McKissic writes that evangelical leaders' acceptance of Trump despite his alleged immoral conduct is hypocritical, contrasting it with their past condemnation of former President Bill Clinton's indiscretions. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hypocritical

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