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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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

The fake blooms lined the sweeping curves that curled across the arena floor.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
Chastain goes for broke with melodrama as both the real and fake Mommies.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

But this is an album that’s apparently about the artist’s double life, and the questions that are bound to be at the forefront of any curious listener’s mind go unaddressed.

— Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
To [React with exaggerated surprise] is to DO A DOUBLE TAKE — as in, to take out double letters (not consecutive ones, mind you).

— Sam Corbin, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of double

Adjective

But San Francisco is now 4-0 with three wins by double digits and a fourth that would have been a nine-point win if not for a virtually meaningless late field goal last week.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Functional performance has always been counted in throughput, cost per transaction and cycle time, and those measures become close to meaningless once the routine work runs itself.

— Charisma Glassman, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of meaningless

Adjective

In the 2030s, aging party leaders living in rarefied Zhongnanhai compounds may look out and see superficial stability.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
While the two people in the vehicle were attempting to exit the vehicle though the front passenger door, the 17-year-old sustained a superficial gunshot wound to his buttock.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 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

Leigh feared the tracks might be too arch, too pretentious, too insincere.

— Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
After the ceremony, Lewandowski spoke to Polish football show Moc Futbolu and reportedly labeled Messi’s Ballon d’Or speech as insincere.

— Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of insincere

Adjective

Raman’s tendency to rethink her policy decisions has also contributed to her strained relations with her council colleagues, nearly all of whom are backing the mayor’s reelection bid.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
French bond woes Yields on French government bonds have surged to multiyear highs in recent days, as the country's mounting debt crisis fuels wider concerns about Europe's strained public finances.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

Ranging in diameter from 1 to 3 millimeters, each FiberMotor is in fact composed of two concentric hollow polymer fibers – a wider one on the outside, with a narrower one nested inside of it.

— Ben Coxworth October 11, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2026
Sealed inside the crust, the wood slowly decomposed, leaving hollow molds.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of hollow

Browse Nearby Words

hypocrites

hypocritical

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

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Synonyms of hypocritical

adjective

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