INSINCERITY Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

insincerity

noun

Definition of insincerity

as in deception

the pretending of having virtues, principles, or beliefs that one in fact does not have the insincerity of the family's professed concern for the environment is pretty much exposed by the gas-guzzler parked in the driveway

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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 insincerity It was made that much worse when several cast members laughed at her insincerity and Maddi Reese interrupted it several times because there was a stray cat nearby that terrified her. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 29 May 2026 Allen’s combo of flip insincerity and kindly concern is a terrific treat, recalling Bill Murray at his doofy best. — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025 In an era of skepticism, audiences quickly detect insincerity. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 And as the secretive Jack, Travis Van Winkle oozes oily, sexist insincerity. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insincerity

Noun

Recent history suggests that the only effective counter to such meddling is a public statement alerting voters to the deception, by some credibly neutral, nonpartisan authority.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Peter trying to have a normal holiday while grieving Tony, Mysterio’s deception, and the post-credits scene that blows Peter’s life apart — all of it feeds into where the new film finds him.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

When Gianni Infantino was chosen to replace Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA, he was seen as a reformer, someone who would bring transparency and openness to soccer’s international governing body, which had long been mired in scandal and deceit.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
In my view, to tell the story of America’s founding without referencing these profound scars is akin to deceit, if not complicity.

— Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

Definition of deceit

Noun

Other controversies have underscored the dubiousness of Anthropic’s commitment to its mission and the hypocrisy of its goodie-two-shoes act.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026
Mathematician Benjamin Banneker wrote to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, condemning his hypocrisy for owning slaves.

— USA Today, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of hypocrisy

Noun

Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.

— Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025

Definition of deceptiveness

Noun

Robinhood's banking product arrived with private-bank affectations, estate planning, event access, cash to the door, priced at $5 a month inside a bundle a 30-year-old already pays for.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Bret, who narrates the series with snooty affectation, is primarily parentless, with mom and dad gallivanting around Europe.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of affectation

Noun

Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of deceitfulness

Noun

Everything else is pretense; the diplomat is pretense; the Hand of the King, there’s a level of pretense; Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, there’s a level of pretense.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 20 July 2026
When Moore finally abandons the pretense and focuses in earnest on his presidential ambitions, the damage to Maryland will be incalculable and likely irreparable.

— Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026

Definition of pretense

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insincerely

insincerity

insinuate

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“Insincerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insincerity. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of insincerity

noun

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