What does hypocrite mean?
A hypocrite is someone who openly professes beliefs, moral values, or principles but behaves in ways that contradict them. The word usually suggests not merely inconsistency but deliberate pretense: the person may appear respectable while pursuing personal interests that betray the standards they publicly uphold. For example, a critic of workplace dishonesty could be called a hypocrite if they excuse similar conduct in their own workplace. The accusation is strongly negative and can be politically charged, so it is often best supported with specific evidence rather than used as a vague insult. Hypocrisy also names the broader practice or habit of deceptive moral posturing. Derived forms such as “hypocritical,” “hypocrisy,” and “hypocritically” are common in both formal and informal English, though the criticism is commonly directed at behavior rather than an entire person's character.
nounA person who professes beliefs, virtues, or principles they do not genuinely hold, especially someone whose actions contradict their stated ideals.
- A person who claims to possess certain beliefs or moral principles while acting in ways that contradict them.
"He criticized dishonesty while quietly making excuses for his own questionable decisions, revealing him to be a hypocrite."
"The politician's refusal to investigate his own conduct made him look like a hypocrite."
"She called the lecture hypocritical because the speaker had condemned a practice he regularly used for personal advantage."
The regular plural takes the ending -s; the plural of the possessive form is hypocrites'.
"The two politicians accused each other of being hypocrites before agreeing to a private settlement."
From a Greek term associated with an actor playing a role, “hypocrite” came to describe someone whose public image masks contrary private principles.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hypocrite come from?
The word entered English through Latin from Greek hypokritēs, meaning an actor or one who plays a part, a word associated with hypokrinein, “to decide” or “judge.” Its theatrical associations helped give rise to the sense of a pretender or dissembler. Related English forms include “hypocrisy,” “hypocritical,” “hypocritically,” and “hypocritize.”
Related word forms
How hypocrite is actually used
The term is generally strongly derogatory and implies deliberate deception or inconsistency rather than a simple mistake. It is common in formal argument, political criticism, journalism, and everyday speech, though it may also be used humorously or sarcastically.
Easily confused with hypocrite
A hypocrite is a person, whereas hypocrisy is the practice or habit of professing principles that one does not genuinely hold.