insincere

1 of 2

adjective

in·​sin·​cere ˌin-sin-ˈsir 

-sən-

: not expressing or showing true feelings : not sincere

insincere praise/flattery

an insincere apology

The work is done despite the distractions of the skeptics and the insincere promises of slippery politicians.

—Kent Sepkowitz

insincerely adverb

smiling insincerely

insincerity

ˌin-sin-ˈser-ə-tē 

also -ˈsir-

noun

the insincerity of their apologies

insincerity

2 of 2

noun

in·​sincerity "+ 

1

: the quality or state of being insincere

the patent insincerity of his answer

2

: something that is insincere

forgiving her evasions and insincerities

Synonyms of insincere

Adjective

• fake
• meaningless
• superficial
• double
• hypocritical
• lip
• hollow
• phony
• strained
• artificial

Examples of insincere in a Sentence

Adjective

He said he was sorry, but I could tell that he was being insincere.

the insincere compliments of a spiteful gossip

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Many commenters accuse her of being insincere and suggest that her statements are merely a tactic to gain votes before the election. — Theodoric Meyer, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026

None of the warnings being made about these models by industry insiders are at all insincere. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026

Leigh feared the tracks might be too arch, too pretentious, too insincere. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

After the ceremony, Lewandowski spoke to Polish football show Moc Futbolu and reportedly labeled Messi’s Ballon d’Or speech as insincere. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin insincerus, from in- + sincerus sincere

Noun

Latin insincerus insincere + English -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1634, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insincere

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

insincere

adjective

in·​sin·​cere ˌin(t)-sin-ˈsi(ə)r 

: not sincere : hypocritical

insincerely adverb

insincerity

-ˈser-ət-ē 

also -ˈsir-

noun