hypocrite

noun

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hyp·o·crite | \ ˈhi-pə-ˌkrit

Definition of hypocrite

1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion

2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings

Other Words from hypocrite Example Sentences Learn More about hypocrite

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Examples of hypocrite in a Sentence

We can learn a good deal about the manners and morals of the times from Lautrec, for he was neither a hypocrite nor a sentimentalist, and there is a matter-of-fact-ness about his vision … that precludes both nostalgia and prurience. — Elizabeth Cowling, Times Literary Supplement, 8 Nov. 1991 Holding up high moral, ethical, and social standards is very difficult, because if one falls short of being a perfect example, one becomes a target and a hypocrite, albeit a well-meaning one. — Mark Masters et al., New Dimensions, June 1990 Of all of these things and people Cilla knew nothing, nor could he tell her, yet he tried to show interest in what she had to tell him. Once he would have been very interested. Now he felt like a hypocrite, and because he was uncomfortable he blamed it in some way on Cilla. — Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943 the hypocrites who criticize other people for not voting but who don't always vote themselves

Recent Examples on the Web Their confused reactions were swift and strong, accusing the veteran country artist of being a hypocrite millionaire socialist, calling him out of touch, even vowing to throw out Brooks’ music. — Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "Garth Brooks looks back on Barry Sanders jersey flap: 'All it did was magnify ignorance'," 21 Nov. 2020 The genuine hypocrite does or says one thing in public and another in private. — Barton Swaim, WSJ, "Supreme Court Switcheroo? That’s Show Biz," 29 Sep. 2020 Since Ginsburg died Friday, many have called McConnell a hypocrite for saying the Senate would vote on whomever President Donald Trump nominates as her successor before the Nov. 3 presidential election. — Morgan Watkins, The Courier-Journal, "Mitch McConnell: There's plenty of time to confirm a Supreme Court justice in 2020," 21 Sep. 2020 Yet some of the same people calling Warren a hypocrite for that contradiction also believe the commissioner had settled on postponing the season weeks or months ago. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Ohio State football parents protest with pride, but their most important questions do not yet have answers: Buckeye Take," 21 Aug. 2020 But here's the thing: Most of you mayonnaise haters out there are hypocrites and cowards. — Emily Dreyfuss, WIRED, "In Defense of Mayonnaise," 4 July 2019 Roth responded by satirizing Howe and the magazine as stuffy hypocrites in his 1983 novel The Anatomy Lesson. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "Commentary still can’t forgive Philip Roth.," 24 May 2018

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

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Last Updated

24 Nov 2020

Cite this Entry

“Hypocrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocrite. Accessed 28 Nov. 2020.

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More Definitions for hypocrite

hypocrite

noun

English Language Learners Definition of hypocrite

disapproving : a person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs

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

hypocrite

noun

hyp·o·crite | \ ˈhi-pə-ˌkrit

Kids Definition of hypocrite

: a person who acts in a way that goes against what he or she claims to believe or feel She's a hypocrite who complains about litter and then litters herself.

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