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 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 People are fixating on celebrities of all kinds, accusing singers of body-positive anthems of being hypocritical, rolling their eyes at athletes promoting weight loss drugs and whispering about the thinness of their favorite movie stars. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 29 May 2026 But, resonance can backfire, as seen in the widespread criticism of the recent Met Gala’s hypocritical celebrity excess. — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypocritical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypocritical

Adjective

But if Rodgers and Newton are right about fake vaccination cards being a thing around the NFL at the time, there was apparently much bamboozling being done by a number of people.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
As bait, the researchers created a fake startup, Ballena Azul, which pretended to focus on decentralized finance for large holders of cryptocurrency, which North Koreans have been known to target to fund the country’s regime.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

According to folklore, Friday plus 13 equals a double dose of bad luck.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
The 5th District saw more than double the amount of votes cast in its Congressional primary than in the 4th, and the gap in support between candidates was much more decisive.

— Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of double

Adjective

Jared Sternberg, founder of Gondwana Ecotours, argues that comparing Alaska to Phoenix is meaningless.

— Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Sure, Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame game between the Panthers and Arizona Cardinals was nothing more than a meaningless exhibition in which few, if any, actual starters played.

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

Definition of meaningless

Adjective

The teen's father also has a superficial wound on his hands and has been taken to a hospital, Bradshaw said.

— Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Ultimately, giving employees back their time through initiatives like four-day workweeks is becoming the ultimate luxury, reflecting a shift towards truly valuing employee well-being over superficial office fun.

— Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 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

As her condition advances, the story folds in her strained bonds with her daughter, played by Wen Qi, and her father, played by Fifth Generation filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, strained yogurt remained mainly a homemade food in immigrant households until 1998, when FAGE began selling strained yogurt imported from Greece.

— Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

To further enhance stability, PXG constructed the One & Done ZT with a hollow-body 303 stainless steel chassis filled with its proprietary S COR™ polymer.

— Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Deputies found a loaded magazine with hollow-point bullets in Jeanine John Taele’s pants pocket and weapons in his vehicle, as well as at his home, which was searched on Monday, the sheriff’s department said.

— Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of hollow

Browse Nearby Words

hypocrites

hypocritical

hypocritically

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

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Synonyms of hypocritical

adjective

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