hypocrisy
noun
hy·poc·ri·sy
hi-ˈpä-krə-sē 
also hī-
plural hypocrisies
1
: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not : behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel
His hypocrisy was finally revealed with the publication of his private letters.
especially
: the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion
our conventional morality often serves as a cover for hypocrisy and selfishness —
Lucius Garvin
Lucius Garvin 2
: an act or instance of hypocrisy
a keen awareness of one's parents' hypocrisies
Examples of hypocrisy in a Sentence
When his private letters were made public, they revealed his hypocrisy.
the hypocrisy of people who say one thing but do another
Teenagers often have a keen awareness of their parents' hypocrisies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Beneath the sarcasm and satire, there appears to be a genuine desire to challenge assumptions, expose hypocrisy, and shine a light on uncomfortable truths and double standards.
—Margie Warrell, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
The play becomes a delta itself, where tributary identities—Muslim, Yoruba, traditional, modern—mingle and, when the priest’s hypocrisy is exposed, surge toward confrontation.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
The hypocrisies of what might be called humanity’s delusions of superiority suggest the need for deeper questioning.
—Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Akhtar has a keen eye for the hypocrisy of the namaste-espousing elite, and no vampire facial, jar of manuka honey or hot yoga session is spared from her mordantly funny wit.
—Calum Marsh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypocrisy
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.
Margie Warrell, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
The play becomes a delta itself, where tributary identities—Muslim, Yoruba, traditional, modern—mingle and, when the priest’s hypocrisy is exposed, surge toward confrontation.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
The hypocrisies of what might be called humanity’s delusions of superiority suggest the need for deeper questioning.
—Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Akhtar has a keen eye for the hypocrisy of the namaste-espousing elite, and no vampire facial, jar of manuka honey or hot yoga session is spared from her mordantly funny wit.
—Calum Marsh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hypocrisy
Cite this Entry
“Hypocrisy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocrisy. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hypocrisy
noun
hy·poc·ri·sy
hip-ˈäk-rə-sē
plural hypocrisies
: behavior that does not agree with what one claims to believe or feel
the hypocrisy of people who say one thing and do another
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share