hypocrisy
hih-POK-ruh-see
Hypocrisy (noun) means claiming to have beliefs, standards, or virtues that one's own actions contradict. Example: “It was pure hypocrisy for him to lecture others about honesty after lying himself.”
noun
1
Claiming to have beliefs, standards, or virtues that one's own actions contradict.
"It was pure hypocrisy for him to lecture others about honesty after lying himself."
"Critics pointed out the hypocrisy of the politician's stance."
How to use hypocrisy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSaying one thing and doing another — pretending to hold values you don't actually live by.
Common pairings
blatant hypocrisy
accuse someone of hypocrisy
smell of hypocrisy
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Word forms
- Plural
- hypocrisies
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It was pure _____ for him to lecture others about honesty after lying himself.
Etymology
From Greek hypokrisis ("stage acting, pretense"), from hypokrinomai ("to play a part, dissemble") — the same root that gives us "hypocrite."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for hypocrisy
See all rhymes for hypocrisy →Frequently asked questions
What does “hypocrisy” mean?
The word “hypocrisy” means claiming to have beliefs, standards, or virtues that one's own actions contradict. In plain terms, saying one thing and doing another — pretending to hold values you don't actually live by.
How do you pronounce “hypocrisy”?
“Hypocrisy” is pronounced hih-POK-ruh-see (/hɪˈpɑkɹəsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “hypocrisy” in a sentence?
Here is “hypocrisy” used in a sentence: “It was pure hypocrisy for him to lecture others about honesty after lying himself.”
What is another word for “hypocrisy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hypocrisy” include hypocriticality and hypocriticalness.
What part of speech is “hypocrisy”?
“Hypocrisy” is a noun.
Where does the word “hypocrisy” come from?
The word “hypocrisy” comes from Greek. From Greek hypokrisis ("stage acting, pretense"), from hypokrinomai ("to play a part, dissemble") — the same root that gives us "hypocrite.".
Is “hypocrisy” a common word?
“Hypocrisy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between hypocrisy and irony?
Hypocrisy involves claiming beliefs or standards that one's own actions contradict, implying a degree of insincerity or self-deception. Irony is a broader term describing any contrast between expectation and reality, and it does not necessarily involve someone's stated values conflicting with their behavior.
What is the difference between hypocrisy and having a double standard?
Hypocrisy is the general act of professing values you don't actually live by, while a double standard specifically means applying different rules to different people or situations, often unfairly. A double standard is one common way hypocrisy shows up, but hypocrisy can also involve a single standard that a person simply fails to meet themselves.
Is calling someone a hypocrite the same as accusing them of hypocrisy?
Yes, they describe the same underlying idea: a hypocrite is a person who practices hypocrisy, meaning their actions contradict the beliefs or standards they claim to hold. "Hypocrite" labels the person, while "hypocrisy" names the behavior or quality itself.
