hypocrite

noun hyp·o·crite \ˈhi-pə-ˌkrit\

: a person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs

Full Definition of HYPOCRITE

: a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion

: a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings

— hypocrite adjective

See hypocrite defined for English-language learners

See hypocrite defined for kids

Examples of HYPOCRITE

We can learn a good deal about the manners and morals of the times from Lautrec, for he was neither a hypocrite nor a sentimentalist, and there is a matter-of-fact-ness about his vision … that precludes both nostalgia and prurience. —Elizabeth Cowling, Times Literary Supplement, 8 Nov. 1991
Holding up high moral, ethical, and social standards is very difficult, because if one falls short of being a perfect example, one becomes a target and a hypocrite, albeit a well-meaning one. —Mark Masters et al., New Dimensions, June 1990
Of all of these things and people Cilla knew nothing, nor could he tell her, yet he tried to show interest in what she had to tell him. Once he would have been very interested. Now he felt like a hypocrite, and because he was uncomfortable he blamed it in some way on Cilla. —Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943
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Origin of HYPOCRITE

Middle English ypocrite, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritēs actor, hypocrite, from hypokrinesthai

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with HYPOCRITE

babysit, benefit, borrow pit, cable-knit, candlelit, come off it, counterfeit, cuckoo spit, double knit, get with it, hissy fit, holy writ, infield hit, intermit, intromit, manumit, megahit, mother wit, out of it, put to it, recommit, retrofit, step on it

HYPOCRITE Defined for Kids

hypocrite

noun hyp·o·crite \ˈhi-pə-ˌkrit\

Definition of HYPOCRITE for Kids

: a person who acts in a way that goes against what he or she claims to believe or feel <She's a hypocrite who complains about litter and then litters herself.>

— hyp·o·crit·i·cal \ˌhi-pə-ˈkri-ti-kəl\ adjective