insincere

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

Synonyms of insincere

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

Examples of insincere in a Sentence

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

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

Their questions can sometimes come across too personal, too insincere or just simply too out there. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The implication is that stage types and progressive politicians are craven, submissive, and insincere. — Erik Forrest Jackson, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

Survivors have expressed frustration and criticized the Japanese government's support for nuclear deterrence for being insincere. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin insincerus, from in- + sincerus sincere

First Known Use

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