hypocrisy

noun

hy·poc·ri·sy | \ hi-ˈpä-krə-sē 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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hypocrisy

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Allegations of nepotism against Prayuth’s own relatives have led to uncomfortable accusations of hypocrisy for a man who pledged to end corruption as justification for the coup. — Washington Post, "Thai coup leader uses ballot box to stay as prime minister," 6 June 2019 Celebrities are held accountable for even the slightest perceived hypocrisy. — Eliza Berman, Time, "Emma Thompson Just Wants to Make Us Laugh—and Maybe Get Arrested," 6 June 2019 This series on Lifetime may have finally changed that overlooked hypocrisy, as scores of women—the vast majority women of color—came forward with their harrowing, heartbreaking allegations of abuse. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "The Best Documentaries of 2019 That Are Already Changing Everything," 20 Mar. 2019 And later, a glaring example of huge liberal hypocrisy, Juanita Broaddrick will join us in studio. — Fox News, "Hannity: Democrats have turned SCOTUS process into a sham," 27 Sep. 2018 With its forward-looking swipes at gender inequality and social hypocrisy, Aristophanes’ subversive comedy has been running, on and off, since 411 BC. — Philip Brandes, latimes.com, "The 99 Seat Beat: ‘Lysistrata' at the Odyssey, '100 Aprils' at Rogue Machine, plus a 'Monster Mash'," 8 June 2018 And many are now using the case of Siwatu-Salama Ra to point out the hypocrisy of gun advocacy groups. like the National Rifle Association, who have remained silent about her conviction. — Paula Rogo, Essence.com, "NRA Remains Silent As Pregnant Black Woman Is Jailed For Pointing Gun In Self-Defense," 6 May 2018 For instance, the Satanists' focus on fairness and social justice and their abhorrence to religious hypocrisy has resulted in them taking up several First Amendment cases—and sometimes winning. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "The Best Documentaries of 2019 That Are Already Changing Everything," 20 Mar. 2019 Willing to point out the hypocrisies inherent in the airbrushed perfection that has become a commodity on social media, Jamil has become a voice of reason online, a fact that caught the attention of Aerie, the lingerie brand whose recent? — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Jameela Jamil Is a Force for Revolutionary Self-Acceptance," 25 Feb. 2019

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.

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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More Definitions for hypocrisy

hypocrisy

noun

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

See the full definition for hypocrisy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hypocrisy

noun

hy·poc·ri·sy | \ hi-ˈpä-krə-sē

plural hypocrisies