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Meaning of hypocritical
The primary meaning of "hypocritical" refers to the behavior or attitude of someone who pretends to have virtues or moral principles that they do not actually possess.
Etymology of hypocritical
The word "hypocritical" has its roots in the Greek word "hypokritos," which means "actor" or "pretender"
The term originated in the 16th century, derived from the Greek words "hypo" (under) and "krites" (judge), and initially referred to an actor or a dissembler
Synonyms
deceitful
dishonest
insincere
duplicitous
disingenuous
two-faced
double-dealing
fraudulent
fake
artificial
pretentious
sanctimonious
self-righteous
pious
holier-than-thou
canting
unctuous
mealy-mouthed
double-tongued
ambivalent
contradictory
paradoxical
dissembling
dissimulating
misleading
deceptive
false
untrue
unfaithful
treacherous
perfidious
traitorous
backhanded
underhanded
sneaky
cunning
crafty
sly
guileful
Machiavellian
Definitions
- The Oxford Languages definition of "hypocritical" is:
- * Behavior or attitude that is characterized by pretending to have virtues or moral principles that one does not actually possess
- * A person who pretends to have virtues or moral principles that they do not actually possess
Usage Examples
- The politician's hypocritical stance on environmental issues was exposed when it was revealed that she had invested in several polluting companies
- * The company's hypocritical advertising campaign claimed to promote sustainability while their manufacturing processes were harming the environment