Hypocrite Meaning
/ˈhɪ.pə.kɹɪt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounSomeone who practices hypocrisy, who pretends to hold beliefs, or whose actions are not consistent with their claimed beliefs.
Sentence Examples
He went as far as to call you a hypocrite.
Frankly speaking, he is more of a hypocrite than a patriot.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The speaker called him a ____ because he preached kindness but was rude privately.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He felt like a ____ for telling others to stay healthy while he continued his bad habits.
Word Origin & History
From Old French ypocrite (Modern French hypocrite), from Latin hypocrita, from Ancient Greek ὑποκριτής (hupokritḗs, “actor, hypocrite”), from ὑποκρίνομαι (hupokrínomai, “to answer, act, feign”). Displaced native Old English līċettere.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 6:5:
"[S]he was one of your ſoft ſpoken, canting, whining hypocrites, who with a truly jeſuitical art, could wreſt evil out of the moſt inoffenſive thought, word, look or action; […]"
— 1765, Catherine Jemmat, The Memoirs of Mrs. Catherine Jemmat, Daughter of the Late Admiral Yeo, of Plymouth. Written by Herself, 2nd edition, volume I, London: Printed for the author, at Charing-Cross, →OCLC, page 145:
"Neither Mr. Meacham, who mostly ignores Jefferson’s slave ownership, nor Mr. Wiencek, who sees him as a sort of fallen angel who comes to slavery only after discovering how profitable it could be, seem willing to confront the ugly truth: the third president was a creepy, brutal hypocrite."
— 2012 November 30, Paul Finkelman, “The Real Thomas Jefferson: The Monster of Monticello”, in New York Times:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The speaker called him a ____ because he preached kindness but was rude privately.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He felt like a ____ for telling others to stay healthy while he continued his bad habits.