hypocrisy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The contrivance of a false appearance of virtue or goodness, while concealing real character or inclinations, especially with respect to religious and moral beliefs; hence in general sense, dissimulation, pretence, sham.

   political hypocrisy

2. 2
   noun

   The claim or pretense of having beliefs, standards, qualities, behaviours, virtues, motivations, etc. which one does not really have.

   rank hypocrisy

3. 3
   noun

   insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have

4. 4
   noun

   an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction

5. 5
   noun

   The practice of engaging in the same behaviour or activity for which one criticises another; moral self-contradiction whereby the behavior of one or more people belies their own claimed or implied possession of certain beliefs, standards or virtues.

6. 6
   noun

   An instance of hypocrisy.

Etymology

From hypo- + Ancient Greek κρί(σις) (krí(sis)) + -isy. From Middle English ipocrisie, from Old French ypocrisie, from Late Latin hypocrisis, from Ancient Greek ὑπόκρισις (hupókrisis, “answer, stage acting, pretense”), from ὑποκρίνομαι (hupokrínomai, “I answer (a fellow actor on stage), play a part, dissemble, feign”), from ὑπό (hupó, “under, equivalent of the modern "hypo-" prefix”) + the middle voice of κρίνω (krínō, “I separate, judge, decide”) + -isy. Displaced native Old English līċettung.