What does hypocrisy mean?
Hypocrisy denotes the practice of presenting one set of beliefs, values, or principles while concealing the incompatible beliefs or behaviour that actually guides one's conduct. The word is used especially when someone claims to uphold moral, religious, political, or professional standards that their actions contradict. It can refer either to hypocrisy as a general pattern of behaviour or to a particular instance of such behaviour. In political and religious contexts, the term often implies that the inconsistency is deliberate and intended to deceive, although critics may use it more broadly for conduct they consider falsely virtuous. Hypocrisy is related to insincerity and duplicity but has a sharper focus on the contradiction between professed standards and actual behaviour. Because it carries strong negative judgement, writers generally reserve it for conduct they see as intentionally deceptive or seriously inconsistent.
nounThe practice of professing beliefs, virtues, or feelings while insincereely concealing contrary beliefs or attitudes. It also refers to the discrepancy between a person's stated principles and their actual conduct.
- The quality or practice of pretending to hold beliefs, values, or principles that one does not genuinely hold.
- The practice of maintaining a public reputation for moral virtue while concealing morally objectionable conduct.
"His public support for environmental protection was widely regarded as hypocrisy when his business practices contradicted it."
"The committee condemned the policy as an exercise in political hypocrisy."
"She avoided hypocrisy by making clear where her professional obligations conflicted with her personal values."
The plural is used for separate instances or manifestations of hypocrisy.
"The memoir describes the personal hypocrisies of a morally complex political leader."
Calling someone a hypocrite attacks their conduct; calling something hypocrisy exposes the contradiction itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hypocrisy come from?
Hypocrisy comes through Latin hypocrysia from Greek hypokrisis, a term associated with acting or pretending, derived from hypokrites, meaning an actor or pretender. Greek hypokrites itself was formed from hypo-, meaning under, and krinein, to judge or decide. English borrowed the word through Old French and medieval Latin, with the modern form established by the early modern period; critic, criterion, and critique preserve the related Greek root associated with judging.
Related word forms
How hypocrisy is actually used
The term is strongly evaluative and is commonly used to characterize a serious mismatch between professed principles and actual behaviour. It is especially common in political, religious, and moral discussion.
Easily confused with hypocrisy
Hypocrisy is the practice or quality of being hypocritical, whereas a hypocrite is a person who displays it.