noun

hypocrisy

hih-POK-ruh-see/hɪˈpɑːkrəsi/

Behavior that contradicts the beliefs or principles someone claims to hold.

His hypocrisy is clear: he condemns smoking while hiding his lit cigarette.

A man visibly condemns another person's smoking while hiding his own lit cigarette behind his back, showing a standard he demands but does not follow.

Etymology

Greek hypokrisis meant acting onstage and, figuratively, pretense. Hypocrisy applies that theatrical image to moral conduct: presenting virtue or goodness as a role rather than living by it.

In context

Mariam1:29

its main goal is to expose hypocrisy. You know, that massive gap between who people pretend to be and who they actually are.

The Rivals

More examples

Employees notice the hypocrisy when managers demand punctuality but arrive late.
She accuses him of hypocrisy for preaching honesty while lying to customers.
These hypocrisies weaken the group's claim to defend free speech.

Forms

hypocrisy · hypocrisies

hypocrite noun — A person whose behavior contradicts the principles that person professes.

hypocritical adjective — Contradicting the beliefs or standards one professes.

Similar words

insincerity: Emphasizes feelings or intentions that are not genuinely held.
duplicity: Emphasizes deliberate deception rather than failure to follow professed principles.