not sincere

USAGE SUMMARY

"not sincere" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's behavior or words as insincere or not genuine. Example: She could tell that his compliments were not sincere, as he often said the same things to everyone he met.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is not sincere.

The New York Times

"He is not sincere.

The Guardian

"It's not sincere," he said.

The New York Times

The acting is not sincere.

The Guardian

But that doesn't mean they're not sincere.

Independent

They're not sincere, but they're warm.

The New York Times

"We really are not sincere in the invitation.

The New York Times

"Our representatives and our government, they are not sincere.

The New York Times

"The army is not sincere in cracking down on corruption.

The New York Times

His retirement poem was nothing if not sincere.

The Guardian - Sport

If India is not sincere, they will help us again".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's feelings or apologies, use "not sincere" to express that they are disingenuous or lack true emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "not sincere" when you mean someone lacks skill or expertise. Sincerity refers to genuineness of feeling, not competence. For example, instead of saying "His attempt at painting was not sincere", say "His attempt at painting was unskilled" or "amateurish".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not sincere" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a lack of genuineness or truthfulness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not sincere" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a lack of genuineness or truthfulness in someone's words or actions. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English. As highlighted by Ludwig examples, it's frequently found in News & Media, Wiki and Science. While "not sincere" carries a neutral tone, its semantic weight can lean toward negative judgment of character. When deploying this phrase, consider the context to make sure it's clear what you want to convey. For a more concise statement, you can use "insincere". To avoid misuse, do not use it to point out lack of skill.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insincere

A direct synonym, offering a more concise way to express the same idea.

not genuine

Focuses on the lack of authenticity rather than the feeling behind the expression.

without sincerity

Emphasizes the absence of sincerity as a quality.

lacking sincerity

Highlights the deficiency of sincerity in a particular action or statement.

not authentic

Similar to "not genuine", stressing the artificial or imitation nature of something.

affected

Suggests a contrived or artificial manner, often used to impress.

hollow

Implies emptiness or a lack of substance, suggesting insincerity.

false

Points to the untruthful nature of the expression or action.

feigned

Indicates that something is pretended or faked.

hypocritical

Suggests a contradiction between someone's claimed beliefs and their actual behavior.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone is described as "not sincere"?

When someone is described as "not sincere", it means their words or actions lack genuineness or truthfulness. They may be pretending to feel something they don't or saying something they don't believe.

What are some alternative phrases for "not sincere"?

You can use alternatives like "insincere", "not genuine", or "lacking sincerity" to express the same idea.

How can you tell if someone is "not sincere"?

Detecting insincerity can be tricky, but sometimes it's evident through inconsistent behavior, body language, or a general feeling that their words don't align with their actions.

Is it better to be "not sincere" or to be brutally honest?

It depends on the situation. While honesty is generally valued, sometimes a degree of tact or diplomacy is necessary to avoid causing unnecessary harm. However, consistently being "not genuine" can damage trust in the long run.