as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
it's hypocritical to say mean things behind someone's back, and then to act nice when you want something from her
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Recent Examples of hypocritical
Susan Shelley of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association blasted the pork-project spending as hypocritical, especially as some liberal groups and lawmakers support raising taxes or turning to voters to pass new bonds to prop up the state’s shaky finances.
—
Wire Report, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
The anti-American side focuses exclusively on the tragedies, usually makes slavery the chief argument for the prosecution, and dismisses the triumphs as hypocritical rhetoric.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
In a society that is adamant, if hypocritical, in its moral rejection of violence, the ubiquity of such violent imagery seems to have its own kind of purpose.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
However, his latest mistake is very hypocritical and raises some questions about double standards in his coaching.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypocritical
Wire Report, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
The anti-American side focuses exclusively on the tragedies, usually makes slavery the chief argument for the prosecution, and dismisses the triumphs as hypocritical rhetoric.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
In a society that is adamant, if hypocritical, in its moral rejection of violence, the ubiquity of such violent imagery seems to have its own kind of purpose.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
However, his latest mistake is very hypocritical and raises some questions about double standards in his coaching.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypocritical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypocritical
Adjective
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But the fake ads include the swindler’s contact information instead of the real landlord’s.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
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The cards were left in several cars abandoned after their occupants were arrested by ICE agents earlier this week in Eagle County, during what Sánchez described as fake traffic stops.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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These ones elevate the trend — pun intended — with comfortable platform soles and double side stripe appliqués.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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McDonald's has made the Big Arch — a massive double-patty burger — a permanent menu item in the United Kingdom and Ireland.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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His 2010 Cy Young victory despite a 13-12 record marked a turning point where win-loss record went from being the most important pitcher stat to one that’s borderline meaningless.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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Dismissing such conflicts as a grotesque but meaningless assemblage of scandals—the love child of Teapot Dome and Watergate—would be a mistake.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And to folks unfamiliar with the IP system, that makes some superficial sense.—
David J. Kappos,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
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Whether opting for a superficial peel like a lactic or glycolic acid, a medium-depth peel such as Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), or deep treatment such as phenol, a chemical peel can address many skin concerns.—
Essence,
Essence,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Nov. 2025
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The pop of color offers a shimmer-free (rare!) means of warming up a wedding look and works equally well at lip level.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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One wrong look or insincere angle and the conversation can go sideways.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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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
Adjective
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When personal relationships become strained or neglected, that pressure spreads.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, Ware returned to Miami on Thursday for further treatment on his strained hamstring and will miss the rest of the Heat’s West Coast trip that has two games remaining on Saturday against the Jazz and Sunday against the Suns.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Her hollow eyes and unflinching face lend Ju-Ju a gut-wrenching passivity and naivete.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
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Values once celebrated now appear hollow and collapsed.—
Stephy Chung,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hypocritical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypocritical. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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