hypocritical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hypocritical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which their own behavior does not conform. Example: "It seems hypocritical for him to criticize others for their lack of punctuality when he is often late himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A standard charge against the EU promoting democracy is that the union itself is not democratic – hence Brussels is at best hypocritical.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's hypocritical to stop selling GTAV while still selling NERF guns, unless video games are more likely to result in real-world behavioural changes than real-world games.

The Guardian - Opinion

I call that hypocritical," she told MPs. "When I wrote a critical judgment of their actions on my blog, they harassed my blog site host with midnight emails from lawyers in New York, France and London, forcing my host to close down my blog for a few hours.

The Guardian

The sanctions were widely perceived as a failure – and hypocritical to start with: how could a country like France, which has its own National Front, lecture other countries on stamping out xenophobia?

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is hypocritical for western governments, who have funded their industrialisation using fossil fuels … to say to African countries: 'You cannot develop dams, you cannot develop coal, just rely on these very expensive renewables,'" he says.

The Guardian

He believed that anti-grouse-shoot campaigners were driven by a hypocritical distaste for those who take pleasure in killing wild birds.

The Guardian

He is golden-haired, golden-tongued and charismatic but he cannot avoid his own hypocritical impulses.

The Guardian - Books

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 5.46pm BSTurkey Turkey's flawed stance towards Syria The Turkish government's increasingly aggressive policy towards Syria is hypocritical and out of step with anti-war opinion in Turkey, argues Hugh Pope from the International Crisis Group.

The Guardian

But it would be hypocritical for the media to condemn him for it.

The Guardian - Opinion

And hypocritical when we all know that he lives in a palace made of gold in Notting Hill.

The Guardian

If the government's message is that peaceful independent Muslim political activism is beyond the pale, it won't just be regarded as hypocritical and undemocratic – it will strengthen the hand of those committed to violence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of just saying something is "hypocritical", explain why it seems that way. Providing context will help others understand what you're trying to say.

Common error

A common mistake is labeling actions as "hypocritical" when they simply reflect a change in opinion or circumstances. Hypocrisy involves a contradiction between stated beliefs and actual behavior at a similar point in time.

Linguistic Context

The word "hypocritical" functions as an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms its use to describe something or someone exhibiting hypocrisy. It modifies nouns, indicating a contradiction between claimed beliefs and actual behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "hypocritical" is a powerful term used to denote the discrepancy between someone's stated beliefs and their actual behavior. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this term in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, and is often used to express criticism or disapproval. When using "hypocritical", it's important to provide context and evidence to support your claim. While synonyms like "two-faced" or "sanctimonious" exist, "hypocritical" specifically focuses on the contradiction between words and actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two-faced

Implies deceitfulness and presenting a different persona to different people.

sanctimonious

Suggests a display of exaggerated or affected piety.

insincere

Highlights a lack of genuine feeling or belief.

deceptive

Focuses on misleading or giving a false impression.

duplicitous

Emphasizes deliberate deception or double-dealing.

affected

Suggests artificiality and a desire to impress.

preachy

Conveys a tendency to give moral advice in an annoying or overbearing way.

self-righteous

Implies a belief that one is morally superior to others.

holier-than-thou

Similar to self-righteous, but more overtly arrogant.

pharisical

Refers to strict adherence to religious forms without genuine piety.

FAQs

How can I use "hypocritical" in a sentence?

You can use "hypocritical" to describe someone whose actions contradict their stated beliefs. For example, "It is "hypocritical" to preach about environmentalism while driving an SUV."

What are some synonyms for "hypocritical"?

Synonyms for "hypocritical" include "two-faced", "sanctimonious", and "insincere". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to call someone "hypocritical"?

Yes, calling someone "hypocritical" is generally a negative judgment. It suggests that they are not being honest or genuine in their words or actions.

What is the difference between being "hypocritical" and changing your mind?

Being "hypocritical" involves acting against your stated beliefs, while changing your mind means adopting new beliefs. Someone can change their mind without being "hypocritical", as long as they align their actions with their new beliefs.