hypocrisy

noun

hy·​poc·​ri·​sy hi-ˈpä-krə-sē How to pronounce hypocrisy (audio)
also hī-
plural hypocrisies
Synonyms of hypocrisy
1
: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not : behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel
Free speech … depends on our ability to see through the hypocrisy of those who claim to defend it while working to suppress it.—Andy Craig
His hypocrisy was finally revealed with the publication of his private letters.
especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion
… our conventional morality often serves as a cover for hypocrisy and selfishness. —Lucius Garvin
2
: an act or instance of hypocrisy
a keen awareness of one's parents' hypocrisies

Synonyms of hypocrisy

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Examples of hypocrisy in a Sentence

When his private letters were made public, they revealed his hypocrisy. the hypocrisy of people who say one thing but do another Teenagers often have a keen awareness of their parents' hypocrisies.
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.
In a statement, Kansas Democratic Party spokesperson Hans Torgerson accused Sarnecki of hypocrisy. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 These poems used images from ordinary life to warn against greed, religious hypocrisy and an excessive attachment to worldly possessions. — Peter Dziedzic, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 All of this is manna for autocratic leaders, who base much of their domestic propaganda on claims of Western weakness and hypocrisy. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 No interest in the contradictions, the hypocrisy, the inappropriate media friendships, the dishonesty about lockdowns, the lab leak, or masks. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypocrisy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ypocrisye, borrowed from Anglo-French ypocrisie, borrowed from Late Latin hypocrisis, ypocrisis, borrowed from Greek hypókrisis "playing a part on the stage, pretending to be something one is not," from hypokri-, variant stem of hypokrī́nomai, hypokrī́nesthai "to reply, make an answer, speak in dialogue, play a part on the stage, feign" (from hypo- hypo- + krī́nomai, middle voice of krī́nō, krī́nein "to separate, choose, decide, judge") + -sis, suffix forming nouns of action or process — more at certain entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypocrisy was in the 13th century

Rhymes for hypocrisy

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Browse Nearby Words

hypocrise
hypocrisy
hypocrital
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Cite this Entry

“Hypocrisy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocrisy. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hypocrisy

noun
hy·​poc·​ri·​sy hip-ˈäk-rə-sē How to pronounce hypocrisy (audio)
plural hypocrisies
: behavior that does not agree with what one claims to believe or feel
the hypocrisy of people who say one thing and do another

More from Merriam-Webster on hypocrisy

Nglish: Translation of hypocrisy for Spanish Speakers

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