What Does the Term “Hypocritical” Mean?

Hypocritical Meaning

• Hypocritical describes behavior in which a person acts in contradiction to their stated beliefs, values, or principles, often criticizing others for actions they themselves do.

What Does Hypocritical Mean?

Hypocritical refers to the act of pretending to hold beliefs, values, or virtues that one does not actually possess. It involves a discrepancy between one’s professed beliefs and actual actions. If we say that an individual is being hypocritical, we’re implying their actions are not aligned with what they claim to stand for.

Origin of Hypocritical

The term hypocritical derives from the Greek word “hypokritēs,” which means an actor or a stage player. It evolved to its contemporary usage, signifying someone who puts on an appearance by portraying moral standards or behaviors that they do not genuinely uphold.

Other Meanings of Hypocritical

While predominantly negative, “hypocritical” can sometimes describe situations with less moral weight. For example, jestingly calling someone hypocritical for admonishing desserts but enjoying a slice of cake conveys a lighter, less severe implication. However, this does not negate the core definition rooted in feigning virtues one does not possess.

Commonly Confused Terms with Hypocritical

Hypocritical vs. Ironic

Hypocritical is when someone’s actions contradict their claimed beliefs or values. For instance, if we preach about environmental conservation but frequently litter, our behavior is hypocritical. Ironic, on the other hand, refers to situations that are the opposite of what one would expect. It would be ironic if a traffic jam occurred on a road that was named “Expressway.”

Hypocritical vs. Hypocrite

While “hypocritical” describes behavior, a Hypocrite is the individual who exhibits such behavior. If we say one thing and do another, we are displaying hypocritical behavior; in doing so, we become hypocrites.

Hypocritical vs. Hypercritical

Hypocritical behavior is about not living up to one’s own stated moral standards. Conversely, being Hypercritical involves being overly critical and judgemental about someone else’s actions or decisions, often without considering one’s own imperfections.

Hypocritical vs. Hypocrisy

Finally, “hypocritical” is an adjective that describes the act of contradicting what one advocates for, while Hypocrisy is the noun that describes the state of engaging in such behavior. Our hypocritical actions contribute to an overall atmosphere of hypocrisy.

Hypocritical Examples

In Conversations

Conversation 1:

• Person 1: “I can’t believe how some people can be so hypocritical, preaching about honesty but then lying themselves.”
• Person 2: “I know, it’s like they have different rules for themselves.”

Conversation 2:

In Texting and Social Posts

• “I can’t believe she’s posting about kindness when she was so rude to me yesterday. So hypocritical!”
• “It’s so hypocritical how he talks about being fair and then cheats in the game.”
• “It’s funny how some people preach about loyalty but then betray their friends. #hypocritical”
• “Just witnessed the most hypocritical act today. People need to practice what they preach! #hypocritical”

Other Examples of Hypocritical

• Environmental Advocacy: Endorsing environmental protection publicly, but engaging in wasteful personal practices, like excessive water consumption or unnecessary use of plastics.
• Charity: Praising charitable giving for tax write-offs, yet avoiding donations or supporting causes only for personal image.

Hypocritical Terminology

Related Terms to Hypocritical

• Insincerity: Characterized by the pretense of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that are not actually held.
• Duplicity: This term implies contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action, especially as a conscious attempt to appear more noble or virtuous than is the case.

Synonyms for Hypocritical

• Two-faced: Suggests the presentation of different versions of oneself to different people.
• Deceitful: Implies an intention to make someone believe something that is not true.
• Phony: This informal term suggests a fraudulent nature or deceitful tendency.

Antonyms for Hypocritical

• Sincere: Being genuine in one’s feelings or conduct.
• Authentic: Related to being factual, real, or trustworthy in actions or character.
• Candid: Implies openness and honesty in expression or behavior.