hypocrite Definition
- 1a person who pretends to have moral standards or opinions that they do not actually have
- 2a person who says one thing and does another
Using hypocrite: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hypocrite" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He is a hypocrite for criticizing others' behavior when he himself engages in the same actions.
Example
She is a hypocrite for preaching about environmentalism but driving a gas-guzzling car.
Example
The politician was accused of being a hypocrite for accepting donations from corporations while claiming to support workers' rights.
hypocrite Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with hypocrite
a situation where someone accuses another person of something that they themselves are guilty of
Example
He called her a hypocrite for being late, but he's always late too. It's like the pot calling the kettle black.
holier-than-thou
behaving as if morally superior to others
Example
She has a holier-than-thou attitude, always judging others for their choices.
a phrase used to describe a person who gives advice but does not follow it themselves
Example
He always tells his children to eat healthy, but he eats junk food all the time. It's like he's saying 'do as I say, not as I do.'
Origins of hypocrite
from Old French 'ypocrite', from ecclesiastical Latin 'hypocrita', from Greek 'hupokritēs', meaning 'actor'
Summary: hypocrite in Brief
The term 'hypocrite' [ˈhɪpəkrɪt] refers to a person who pretends to have moral standards or opinions that they do not actually have. It can also refer to a person who says one thing and does another. Examples include criticizing others' behavior while engaging in the same actions and preaching about environmentalism while driving a gas-guzzling car. Phrases like 'pot calling the kettle black' and 'holier-than-thou' describe hypocritical behavior.
