hypocritical
adjective
hyp·o·crit·i·cal
ˌhi-pə-ˈkri-ti-kəl 
: characterized by behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel : characterized by hypocrisy
a hypocritical attitude/argument
said that it was hypocritical to demand respect from students without respecting them in return
a hypocritical gesture of modesty and virtue—
Robert Graves
Robert Graves
also
: being a person whose actions are contrary to their stated beliefs or feelings : being a hypocrite
… is famous for his … acidic takedowns of craven and hypocritical politicians. —Brett Lang
Brett Lang Examples of hypocritical in a Sentence
it's hypocritical to say mean things behind someone's back, and then to act nice when you want something from her
Recent Examples on the Web
The anti-American side focuses exclusively on the tragedies, usually makes slavery the chief argument for the prosecution, and dismisses the triumphs as hypocritical rhetoric.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
In a society that is adamant, if hypocritical, in its moral rejection of violence, the ubiquity of such violent imagery seems to have its own kind of purpose.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
However, his latest mistake is very hypocritical and raises some questions about double standards in his coaching.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Most of these hypocritical legislators are near the completion of their involvement in the Capitol thanks to term limits.
—John Moorlach, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypocritical
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.
Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
In a society that is adamant, if hypocritical, in its moral rejection of violence, the ubiquity of such violent imagery seems to have its own kind of purpose.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
However, his latest mistake is very hypocritical and raises some questions about double standards in his coaching.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Most of these hypocritical legislators are near the completion of their involvement in the Capitol thanks to term limits.
—John Moorlach, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypocritical
Cite this Entry
“Hypocritical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocritical. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share