What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hypocrite
Example
He's such a hypocrite, preaching about honesty while lying to his own family. [hypocrite: noun]
Example
She hypocritically criticized her friend for being late when she herself was always tardy. [hypocritically: adverb]
imposter
Example
The man claiming to be a doctor was revealed to be an imposter with no medical training. [imposter: noun]
Example
She felt like an imposter at the fancy party, pretending to be wealthy and sophisticated. [imposter: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hypocrite is more commonly used than imposter in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and situations. Imposter is more often used in formal or legal contexts, such as in cases of identity theft or fraud.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hypocrite and imposter?
While both hypocrite and imposter can be used in formal contexts, imposter is generally considered more formal due to its association with legal or criminal matters.
