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

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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 And members of these new churches were mostly not the black-dressed, hypocritical, sour-faced, monocultural figures favored by popular narrative, but often included colorful figures who were sometimes surprisingly modern in their desires. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 There is something deeply hypocritical about discovering and using the language of women’s liberation only when your own status, reputation, or income is at stake. — Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026 That some people in these industries, including those who are well paid, would look at our economy and seek out other ways of doing things is neither hypocritical nor surprising. — Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026 Some players cited the league’s partnerships with sports betting companies as hypocritical or even laying the foundation for this sort of scandal. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypocritical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypocritical

Adjective

Taking a page out of Better Call Saul‘s playbook, NBC is launching a fake billboard-style ad for Jim Rockford, complete with a hotline number, just like the AMC drama did with attorney Saul Goodman.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
Stone was dressed as an aesthetically conscious conservative housewife with a crisp button-down shirt, A-line skirt, peroxide blowout and fake facelift sutures.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

Even the smallest one is delightfully cozy, with a double bed and windows looking onto the street, perfect for a couple or solo traveler.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
Like when Edmonds drew in a double team in the post and found a Robinson for an open 3-pointer that gave TCU a 10-5 lead early in the first.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of double

Adjective

Each seemingly meaningless twitch signals a bid worth between $50,000 and $100,000, depending on the auctioneer’s ask.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Employees were reportedly running AI agents on meaningless tasks to inflate their token count and climb an unofficial internal AI leaderboard called Kirorank.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of meaningless

Adjective

Even then, my understanding of the horrors these people had endured and survived was superficial.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
On Saturday, at a gun range, a weapon accidentally discharged while holstered resulting in a superficial injury to film director Michael Mann.

— Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 1 Nov. 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

That decision left the financially strained athletic department staring at a buyout of roughly $50 million.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
The relationship between LaLiga and Real Madrid is beyond strained—see Tebas’ Nazi comments as an example—but on this two agreed that everyone involved had to bend the knee.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

Andrew’s head snapped forward, his eye blurred in a burst of flesh and bone, the hollow filling with blood as a bullet tore through his head.

— Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
The center holds, but only because the whole structure is hollow, carries no weight.

— Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of hollow

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“Hypocritical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypocritical. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of hypocritical

adjective

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