What does hypocritical mean?
Hypocritical means false or insincere in a way that involves a clear conflict between what someone claims to believe and what they actually do. The word is especially used for people whose public statements, moral principles, or professed values are plainly contradicted by their behaviour. A person may be called hypocritical for supporting a rule publicly while regularly breaking it, offering ostentatious moral concern while acting selfishly, or claiming one standard for others and another for themselves. The expression is strongly disapproving, so it commonly implies bad faith rather than a simple, innocent inconsistency. Hyprocritically is the usual adverb, while a person whose conduct is hypocritical is a hypocrite and the behaviour or quality is hypocrisy. The word comes from ancient Greek theatrical language associated with acting under a mask, an apt origin for a term concerned with appearances that conceal the truth.
adjectiveCharacterized by saying one thing while professing or appearing to hold different beliefs or principles, especially when this inconsistency is hypocritical rather than sincere.
- Characterized by a discrepancy between professed beliefs or principles and actual behaviour; false or insincere in a conspicuous way.
"His public support for environmental protection seemed hypocritical given how often he had opposed conservation measures."
"The politician was accused of being hypocritical after promoting equal treatment while granting special exceptions to his allies."
"She regarded the exaggerated apology as a hypocritical attempt to appear concerned without accepting responsibility."
Hypocrisy comes from the Greek stage: the word's ancestor referred to an actor, literally someone who performed beneath a mask.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hypocritical come from?
The word derives from Greek hypokritikos, meaning of or relating to actors or acting, from hypokritēs, an actor. The Greek term was associated with performers speaking beneath a mask, where the visible appearance differed from the concealed reality. The English adjective developed in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, initially in contexts concerned with false pretence and deceptive inconsistency.
Related word forms
How hypocritical is actually used
The term is strongly critical and is often used when a person's public principles appear especially inconsistent with their conduct. It can describe behaviour, attitudes, or apparent sincerity.
Easily confused with hypocritical
Sarcastic describes speech or humour that expresses contempt or ridicule, whereas hypocritical describes a mismatch between professed principles and actual conduct.
Ironic language often conveys the opposite of what is literally said, while hypocrisy concerns inconsistency between stated beliefs and actions.