Hypocritical

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /hɪˈpɑkrətɪkəl/

Definitions of hypocritical

adjective a word or phrase that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, such as 'hypocritical' which means behaving in a way that suggests one has higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case.

Example Sentences

A1 Some people say one thing but do another, which is hypocritical.

A2 She criticized her friend for being late while she herself is always late too, which is hypocritical.

B1 The politician's speech about honesty was seen as hypocritical due to recent scandals.

B2 It is hypocritical for him to preach about healthy eating while he constantly eats fast food.

C1 The company's environmental policies are seen as hypocritical by some due to their history of pollution.

C2 The celebrity's public image as a philanthropist was revealed to be hypocritical when it was discovered they were involved in illegal activities.

Examples of hypocritical in a Sentence

formal It is hypocritical for someone to preach about honesty while they themselves are constantly lying.

informal She's so hypocritical, always telling us to eat healthy while she's munching on junk food.

slang I can't stand how hypocritical he is, acting all high and mighty when he's just as messed up as the rest of us.

figurative The politician's stance on corruption is hypocritical, as he is often caught accepting bribes behind closed doors.

Grammatical Forms of hypocritical

past tense

hypocritically

plural

hypocriticals

comparative

more hypocritical

superlative

most hypocritical

present tense

hypocrites

future tense

will be hypocritical

perfect tense

have been hypocritical

continuous tense

is being hypocritical

singular

hypocrite

positive degree

hypocritical

infinitive

to be hypocritical

gerund

hypocritically

participle

hypocrited

Origin and Evolution of hypocritical

First Known Use: 1200 year
Language of Origin: Greek
Story behind the word: The word 'hypocritical' originates from the Greek word 'hypokrisis', meaning acting on a stage, pretending or feigning.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'hypocritical' has evolved to describe someone who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that they do not actually possess.