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 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 Yet, the sense of cognitive dissonance that pervades this space can feel blindingly hypocritical. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 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 The lawsuit also alleged Cameron’s actions were hypocritical of his films’ messaging and detailed public backlash Cameron and the films faced for its depictions of Native groups. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypocritical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hypocritical

Adjective

Multiple schools are at the center of incidents in which teens are facing legal consequences for generating fake explicit images of their classmates.

— Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Gen Alphas seem to know almost immediately when something is fake, overproduced, delayed or culturally disconnected, which is why the strongest content right now often feels chaotic.

— Kelly Samuel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

If Messi is the main focus of England’s attention, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has to contend with the double threat of Bellingham and Kane.

— James Robson, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Blorian, 26, captained Hapoel Be’er Sheva to an Israeli cup and league-title double last season.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026

Definition of double

Adjective

Of course, this would depend on whether the managers choose to pick their strongest teams in what for some is a meaningless, even annoying extra fixture, for squads who just want to go home.

— Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 18 July 2026
As Simón gathered the ball, Mbappé simply ran up and jumped on him, much as a small boy might assault his older brother, in meaningless and unproductive rage, for refusing to share an ice cream.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of meaningless

Adjective

Ferrell, Henchy and David Gordon Green all previously worked on Eastbound & Down, a sports comeback series with enough superficial similarities to underline how toothless The Hawk and especially its characters are.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
Screenings are inconsistent or superficial, resulting in a lack of follow-up for people with problematic drinking.

— Isabella Cueto, STAT, 14 July 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

But things between Harry and his older brother, Prince William, reportedly remain strained.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 July 2026
Increasing Spanish costs for defense, such as building forts and training militia, led to higher taxes and strained local economies.

— Lindsay Schakenbach Regele, The Conversation, 13 July 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

Believing the Trojan Horse to be a peace offering, the officers drag the hollow figure inside the city walls and place it outside the Temple of Athena, which leads to Troy’s harrowing downfall hours later.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026
People would apply The Ordinary’s plumping serum or Medicube’s balm stick, and hollow under-eye or facial fine lines would diminish in just a 30 second video clip.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 July 2026

Definition of hollow

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“Hypocritical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hypocritical. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hypocritical

adjective

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