First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
hypocrisy
noun hy·poc·ri·sy \hi-ˈpä-krə-sē also hī-\
: the behavior of people who do things that they tell other people not to do : behavior that does not agree with what someone claims to believe or feel
plural hy·poc·ri·sies
Full Definition of HYPOCRISY
1
: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion
2
: an act or instance of hypocrisy
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Origin of HYPOCRISY
Middle English ypocrisie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrisis, from Greek hypokrisis act of playing a part on the stage, hypocrisy, from hypokrinesthai to answer, act on the stage, from hypo- + krinein to decide — more at certain
Related to HYPOCRISY
- Synonyms
- cant, dissembling, dissimulation, insincerity, piousness
- Antonyms
- genuineness, sincereness, sincerity
Rhymes with HYPOCRISY
HYPOCRISIES Defined for Kids
hypocrisy
noun hy·poc·ri·sy \hi-ˈpä-krə-sē\
plural hy·poc·ri·sies
Definition of HYPOCRISY for Kids
: the quality of acting in a way that goes against claimed beliefs or feelings
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