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hypocrisy

Noun

IPA /hɪˈpɒkrəsi/

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Meaning in plain English

Behaviour that contradicts the moral standards or beliefs a person claims to support.

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Pronunciation

hypocrisy/hɪˈpɒkrəsi/

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Someone insists that others never litter
They drop their own rubbish on the ground

Hypocrisy occurs when a person's actions contradict the standards they claim to hold.

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He complained about litter while dropping his own wrapper, which struck me as hypocrisy.
The staff criticised the hypocrisy of a manager who demanded punctuality but arrived late every day.

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He complained about litter while dropping his own wrapper, which struck me as ________.

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hypocrisy — Behaviour that contradicts the moral standards or beliefs a person claims to support.

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Behaviour that contradicts the moral standards or beliefs a person claims to support.

Compare: He complained about litter while dropping his own wrapper, which struck me as hypocrisy.

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Word origin

Through French and Latin from Greek hupokrisis, originally connected with playing a theatrical part.

Did you know?

Hypocrisy describes the behaviour; hypocrite names the person behaving that way.

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