hypocrisy

[ hi-pok-ruh-see ]
/ hɪˈpɒk rə si /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR hypocrisy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural hy·poc·ri·sies.

a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.
a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.
an act or instance of hypocrisy.

Origin of hypocrisy

1175–1225; Middle English ipocrisie < Old French < Late Latin hypocrisis < Greek hypókrisis play acting, equivalent to hypokrī́(nesthai) to play a part, explain ( hypo- hypo- + krī́nein to distinguish, separate) + -sis -sis; h- (reintroduced in 16th century) < Latin and Greek

synonym study for hypocrisy

1. See duplicity.

OTHER WORDS FROM hypocrisy

hy·per·hy·poc·ri·sy, noun

Words nearby hypocrisy

hypocorism, hypocoristic, hypocorticoidism, hypocotyl, hypocrinism, hypocrisy, hypocrite, hypocritical, hypocrystalline, hypocupremia, hypocycloid

Words related to hypocrisy

fraud, deception, duplicity, mockery, bigotry, insincerity, deceit, dishonesty, double-dealing, lie, casuistry, sanctimoniousness, falsity, sanctimony, cant, pietism, quackery, speciousness, affectation, irreverence

Example sentences from the Web for hypocrisy

British Dictionary definitions for hypocrisy

hypocrisy
/ (hɪˈpɒkrəsɪ) /

noun plural -sies

the practice of professing standards, beliefs, etc, contrary to one's real character or actual behaviour, esp the pretence of virtue and piety
an act or instance of this