insincere

adjective

in·​sin·​cere ˌin-sin-ˈsir 

-sən-

: not sincere : hypocritical

insincerely adverb

insincerity

ˌin-sin-ˈser-ə-tē 

also -ˈsir-

noun

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

Which is not to say that Amodei is being insincere. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026

Then again, Friday’s show was a reminder that much of Rascal Flatts’ output can get overly glossy and insincere, so maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing after all. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026

One wrong look or insincere angle and the conversation can go sideways. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

The man whom Navarro likes to call the Boss seems to value insincere, or bought, obeisance—the flapping and fussing of a maître d’—more than heartfelt fandom, which lacks the piquancy of humiliation. —Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

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