hypocrisy

noun
hy·​poc·​ri·​sy | \ hi-ˈpä-krə-sē How to pronounce hypocrisy (audio) also hī- \
plural hypocrisies

Definition of hypocrisy

1 : a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not : behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel His hypocrisy was finally revealed with the publication of his private letters. especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion our conventional morality often serves as a cover for hypocrisy and selfishness — Lucius Garvin
2 : an act or instance of hypocrisy a keen awareness of one's parents' hypocrisies

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Examples of hypocrisy in a Sentence

When his private letters were made public, they revealed his hypocrisy. the hypocrisy of people who say one thing but do another Teenagers often have a keen awareness of their parents' hypocrisies.
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Recent Examples on the Web All these incidents, and more, gave White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany fuel during her attacks on Democratic hypocrisy over coronavirus regulations. Joseph Simonson, Washington Examiner, "Roster of COVID-19 hypocritical politicians grows," 2 Dec. 2020 Russia, too, has cited Afghanistan as an example of the West’s failings and hypocrisy on the global stage. Washington Post, "Chinese official sparks outrage with doctored image depicting Australian soldier cutting Afghan child’s throat," 30 Nov. 2020 The hashtag #hallmarksowhite trended, and, earlier this year, there was backlash to a Hallmark social media post in support of Black Lives Matters that questioned the channel’s hypocrisy. Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Scott D. Pierce: Gasp! There are gay characters in a Hallmark Christmas movie!," 27 Nov. 2020 His supporters aren't far behind, offering up a meme suggesting hypocrisy in media coverage of the 2016 and 2020 elections. Devon Link, USA TODAY, "Fact check: Meme makes false claims about media's 2016 and 2020 election coverage," 25 Nov. 2020 Gavin Newsom's French Laundry birthday dinner goes beyond mere hypocrisy. David Aaro, Fox News, "California Republicans rip Newsom’s ‘hypocrisy’ after governor caught dining out amid pandemic," 19 Nov. 2020 Unfortunately for Landry, hypocrisy and grandstanding will only get you so far, even in Louisiana. NOLA.com, "Clandy DuBos: Landry leads parade of GOP hypocrisy on money and elections," 30 Oct. 2020 How could this juggling not be interpreted as hypocrisy? David Bromwich, Harper's Magazine, "Is America Ungovernable?," 27 Oct. 2020 Don’t fall into the trap of hypocrisy because you’re being tempted by the status quo. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Commentary: To make San Diego better in 2021, each person elected to office must put the People first," 4 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hypocrisy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hypocrisy

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for hypocrisy

Middle English ypocrisye, borrowed from Anglo-French ypocrisie, borrowed from Late Latin hypocrisis, ypocrisis, borrowed from Greek hypókrisis "playing a part on the stage, pretending to be something one is not," from hypokri-, variant stem of hypokrī́nomai, hypokrī́nesthai "to reply, make an answer, speak in dialogue, play a part on the stage, feign" (from hypo- hypo- + krī́nomai, middle voice of krī́nō, krī́nein "to separate, choose, decide, judge") + -sis, suffix forming nouns of action or process — more at certain entry 1

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Time Traveler for hypocrisy

Time Traveler

The first known use of hypocrisy was in the 13th century

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Statistics for hypocrisy

Last Updated

5 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Hypocrisy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocrisy. Accessed 15 Dec. 2020.

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More Definitions for hypocrisy

hypocrisy

noun
How to pronounce hypocrisy (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of hypocrisy

disapproving : the behavior of people who do things that they tell other people not to do : behavior that does not agree with what someone claims to believe or feel

hypocrisy

noun
hy·​poc·​ri·​sy | \ hi-ˈpä-krə-sē How to pronounce hypocrisy (audio) \
plural hypocrisies

Kids Definition of hypocrisy

: the quality of acting in a way that goes against claimed beliefs or feelings

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Comments on hypocrisy

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