hypocrite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hypocrite" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who pretends to have virtues or beliefs that they do not actually possess. Example: "He called her a hypocrite for criticizing others while engaging in the same behavior." Alternative expressions include "two-faced" and "insincere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To have no view, I realised as I left, amounted to much the same as being a hypocrite.

The Guardian

No longer chuckling at his politically incorrect jokes, they turned on him for being a hypocrite, for saying one thing and doing another – for breaking his promise.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's no hypocrite like an English hypocrite.

The Guardian - Sport

Rick Santorum, a record of betrayal, another serial hypocrite who can't be trusted".

The Guardian

So am I being a hypocrite running people over in my virtual car without a pang of remorse?

The Guardian - Tech

He described Clinton as "a hypocrite" for allowing her family's charitable foundation to accept money "from countries that absolutely treat women horrendously", and said her experience in the state last time had not been forgotten.

The Guardian

Voters, who cannot bear too much truth, require it of them and only a child or a hypocrite should be unable to see this.

The Guardian

It believed that striking at a universally accepted global enemy, the US, would lead to the destruction of "hypocrite" unbelieving regimes across the Muslim world in the short term and, eventually, the creation of a new ill-defined and utopian religious rule.

The Guardian

We might then label Seneca a hypocrite, since he failed to be ethically rich by his own criteria.

The Guardian - Books

Enraged by the government's refusal to allow him to re-establish his base in Kailahun in the east, Mr Sankoh has publicly called Mr Kabbah a "hypocrite", maintaining that he sees no point in further negotiations because "there is no trust and confidence" between the two sides.Implementation of the accord is at a standstill.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I won't miss the God-botherers, the Tories, the hypocrites who ignored me when I was alive, etc".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the noun with strong adjectives like "serial", "colossal" or "heroic" to emphasize the depth of the inconsistency as seen in several Ludwig examples.

Common error

Writers often mistakenly use the adjective "hypocritical" when they intend to name the person, or vice versa. Remember that "hypocrite" is the noun (the person), while "hypocritical" describes the action or the individual. Also, avoid the common spelling error of omitting the final 'e' as in "hypocrit".

Linguistic Context

In English, "hypocrite" functions primarily as a count noun. It serves as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence to denote an individual who practices hypocrisy. Ludwig AI examples confirm that it is frequently used in the predicate after the verb "to be", such as "he is a hypocrite".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "hypocrite" is a widely used and powerful noun in the English language, essential for discussing moral and ethical consistency. Through the analysis of Ludwig AI, we see that it is a staple of political journalism and biographical sketches, used to point out contradictions between words and deeds. It is grammatically straightforward but rhetorically significant, often modified by adjectives like "serial" or "colossal" to heighten the impact. While synonyms like phoney or dissembler exist, "hypocrite" remains the most precise and authoritative term for someone whose life does not match their claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phoney

Less formal and focuses on the lack of authenticity

two-faced person

More idiomatic and emphasizes double-dealing behavior

dissembler

Formal term focusing on the concealment of true motives

sanctimonious person

Emphasizes a pretense of moral superiority or holiness

pretender

Broader term for someone who claims a status they do not have

double-dealer

Specifically refers to someone acting with duplicity in business or politics

charlatan

Implies a person who falsely claims to have special knowledge or skill

impostor

Focuses on the fraudulent identity rather than just inconsistent beliefs

humbug

A slightly archaic term for deceptive talk or a deceptive person

Tartuffe

A literary allusion to the Molière character representing religious hypocrisy

FAQs

How do I use "hypocrite" in a sentence?

You can use it to identify someone whose actions defy their words. For example, "He called her a hypocrite for criticizing others while engaging in the same behavior." Many examples in Ludwig show it being used in political contexts, such as "The public turned on him for being a "hypocrite" and breaking his promise."

What can I say instead of "hypocrite"?

Depending on the severity, you might use "phoney", "dissembler", or the idiom "two-faced person".

Is it "hypocrite" or "hypocrit"?

The correct spelling is always "hypocrite" with an 'e' at the end. The version without the 'e' is an incorrect spelling.

What is the difference between a "hypocrite" and a "liar"?

A "liar" provides false information, whereas a "hypocrite" pretends to follow certain moral standards or beliefs that they actually violate through their own behavior.