hypocrisy

noun

The claim or pretense of having beliefs, standards, qualities, behaviours, virtues, motivations, etc. which one does not really have.

The practice of engaging in the same behaviour or activity for which one criticises another; moral self-contradiction whereby the behavior of one or more people belies their own claimed or implied possession of certain beliefs, standards or virtues.

The contrivance of a false appearance of virtue or goodness, while concealing real character or inclinations, especially with respect to religious and moral beliefs; hence in general sense, dissimulation, pretence, sham.

An instance of hypocrisy.

Roots

hupohypo- · Greek · under, below krino-cris · Greek · judge, separate

Synonyms for hypocrisy

sanctimoniousnessn sanctimonyn insincerityn mendacityn duplicityn deceitfulnessn falsenessn deceitn deceptionn treacherousnessn

Synonyms & related words for hypocrisy

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of hypocrisy — including sanctimoniousness, sanctimony, insincerity, mendacity, duplicity, deceitfulness. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to hypocrisy

Explore words related to hypocrisy — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include hypocritical, disingenuousness, hypocrite, dishonesty, hypocritically, dissimulation, duplicitousness, shamelessness. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for hypocrisy

Common synonyms for hypocrisy include sanctimoniousness, sanctimony, insincerity, mendacity, duplicity, deceitfulness, falseness, deceit — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does hypocrisy come from?

The word hypocrisy breaks down into 2 roots of Greek origin: hypo-, from Greek hupo (“under, below”); and -cris, from Greek krino (“judge, separate”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.