HYPOCRITICAL Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

hypocritical

adjective

ˌhi-pə-ˈkri-ti-kəl

Definition of hypocritical

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hypocritical The public is equally free to find the position ridiculous and hypocritical, and choose to support other leagues that better represent their feelings. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026 Given Holzinger’s notoriety, and her own ironic relationship to extremes, her use of trigger warnings, posted before every performance, may seem beside the point, or even hypocritical. — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Bronin’s campaign argued that Larson calling out tech and private equity donations to the former mayor is hypocritical when the congressman has received his own. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026 Earlier this month, Matsui’s campaign came after Vang for taking corporate donations from Sacramento-area businesses during her city council campaigns, implying that Vang’s vows to not accept money from corporate PACs in her congressional bid is hypocritical. — Mathew Miranda june 4, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypocritical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypocritical

Adjective

Once roles are introduced to the game, the players make a comedy meal out of loudly fake narrating what Sam is doing while they’re blindfolded.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Those who speak a password, released via social media, receive a fake business card, which does mean many a guest is standing there shouting a password at the actor.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

Ambiguity, subtext, double meanings, and metaphor course through all of them.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
And companies in the entertainment, media and tech sectors are responding by spending substantially more on CEO security, by double — and in some cases triple — digits.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of double

Adjective

On a superficial level, his plays, built around the emotional lives of his characters, can come off as a throwback to traditional realism.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Considered from one angle, the movie is superficial and conventional, zipping heedlessly between the characters without fretting about point of view, creating scenes that don’t so much illuminate characters as simply push the story along.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of superficial

Adjective

Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.

— Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
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

Definition of lip

Adjective

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, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of insincere

Adjective

Gasper, who turns 31 next month, played for a month in the tense environment of the Dominican Winter League, then was summoned by Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic after former Red Sox catcher Kyle Teel suffered a strained right hamstring.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Fielder said the relationship grew strained as Evans tried to exert greater control over the project.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

That part is too real, too disturbing, and Barrett’s hollow script avoids tackling the subject head on.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Today, military forces use ram-air paragliders, which consist of canopies made of flexible, ram-air wings with an upper and lower shell connected by internal fabric ribs to form hollow cells.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of hollow

Browse Nearby Words

hypocrites

hypocritical

hypocritically

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hypocritical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypocritical. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hypocritical

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shofar

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes