Need another word for Hypocrisy? Use these synonyms of Hypocrisy from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
deceit
dishonesty
duplicity
insincerity
cant
sanctimony
phoniness
pretence
pretension
affectedness
artificiality
falseness
disingenuousness
double standards
two-facedness
mendacity
untruthfulness
fraudulence
imposture
charlatanry
dissimulation
guile
chicanery
trickery
perfidy
treachery
betrayal
bad faith
faithlessness
disloyalty
unfaithfulness
inconstancy
fickleness
capriciousness
inconsistency
unpredictability
Meaning of Hypocrisy
The primary meaning of the word "hypocrisy" refers to the act of pretending to have virtues or moral principles that one does not actually possess.
Definitions
- The practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case
- * A false appearance of virtue or goodness
- * The act of pretending to have feelings or beliefs that one does not really have
Etymology of Hypocrisy
The word "hypocrisy" originates from the Greek word "ὑπόκρισις" (hypokrisis), meaning "play-acting" or "pretence"
The term has been used in English since the 14th century to describe the act of pretending to be something one is not
Example Uses
- The politician's hypocrisy was exposed when it was revealed that she had invested in the very companies she had criticized
- * The company's claim to be environmentally friendly was seen as hypocrisy when it was discovered that they were polluting the local water supply
- * The actor's hypocrisy was evident when he spoke out against social injustice while having a history of making offensive comments
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
sincerity
honesty
integrity
authenticity
genuineness
truthfulness
candor
frankness
openness
transparency
straightforwardness
directness
simplicity
humility
modesty
unpretentiousness
innocence
naivety
artlessness
guilelessness
straightforwardness
uprightness
probity
rectitude
righteousness
virtue
morality
ethics
principles