insincere

adjective

in·​sin·​cere ˌin-sin-ˈsir 

-sən-

: not sincere : hypocritical

insincerely adverb

insincerity

ˌin-sin-ˈser-ə-tē 

 also  -ˈsir-

noun

Synonyms

• fake
• meaningless
• double
• superficial
• hypocritical
• pretended
• phoney
• 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

However, Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, felt Lorincz’s courtroom apology was insincere. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025

Just don't glaze because that's heaping someone with excessive and insincere praise. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025

The last time the Trump administration threatened to escalate in a manner that would have outstripped its predecessor, was to implement secondary sanctions against India and China for buying Russian oil – in response to months of insincere Russian diplomacy. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025

But Oz’s move back to Pennsylvania not long before running for Senate came across as insincere. —Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 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