Hypocritical
ˌhɪpəˈkrɪtɪkəl
Definitions
Claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform.
ˌhɪpəˈkrɪtɪkəl
Characterized by hypocrisy; pretending to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually possess.
It's hypocritical to tell others not to smoke when you smoke yourself.
💡 Simply: It's like when someone says they're all about being healthy and eating right, but they're always eating junk food and never working out. They're being hypocritical.
👶 For kids: Saying one thing but doing the opposite.
More Examples
Her actions were seen as hypocritical because she preached honesty but often lied.
The politician's stance on environmental issues seemed hypocritical given his frequent use of a private jet.
How It's Used
"Critics often accuse politicians of being hypocritical when their actions contradict their stated beliefs."
"The ethics professor pointed out the hypocritical nature of the company's environmental policies."
"Many social commentators condemn the hypocritical stances taken by certain groups on various issues."
Idioms & expressions
Holier-than-thou
Characterized by an attitude of moral superiority.
"His holier-than-thou attitude annoyed everyone at the meeting."
From Late Latin *hypocriticus*, from Greek *hypokritikos* ('acting a part, pretending'), from *hypokrites* ('stage actor, pretender').
The word has been used since the 16th century to describe someone who pretends to have virtues or morals that they do not possess, often drawing parallels to religious hypocrisy or acting.
Memory tip
Think of a *hypocrite* as someone wearing a *mask* of virtue.