Word
hypocritical
Phoneticshyp·o·crit·i·cal, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌhɪpəˈkɹɪtɪkəɫ/
UK/hˌɪpəkɹˈɪtɪkəl/
Definition
adj. behaving in a way that is different from what you tell other people to do. You use this when someone says one thing but does the opposite.
adj. characterised by the false claim of possessing higher standards or more noble beliefs than is actually the case. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'.
Examples
“It is hypocritical to tell others to recycle while you throw away plastic.”
“The politician's stance on environmental protection was seen as hypocritical after he accepted donations from major oil companies.”
“Critics argued that the CEO's memo regarding corporate austerity was deeply hypocritical, given that he had recently approved a massive increase in his own executive compensation package.”
Examples
simple
“It is hypocritical to tell others to recycle while you throw away plastic.”
contextual
“The politician's stance on environmental protection was seen as hypocritical after he accepted donations from major oil companies.”
complex
“Critics argued that the CEO's memo regarding corporate austerity was deeply hypocritical, given that he had recently approved a massive increase in his own executive compensation package.”
Usage
Often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun; frequently takes the preposition 'of' when describing an action ('it was hypocritical of him').
Pitfall
he is a hypocritical
he is a hypocrite
Learners often use the adjective form when they need the noun 'hypocrite' to label a person.
Real-World Examples
“He also thinks it's "hypocritical" for companies to ask candidates not to use AI when some are using it themselves to screen candidates .” Etymology
From hypocritic + -al, from Ancient Greek ὑποκριτικός (hupokritikós), from ὑποκριτής (hupokritḗs, “actor, hypocrite”), from ὑποκρίνομαι (hupokrínomai, “I play a part on stage”), from ὑπό (hupó, “below”) + κρίνω (krínō, “I choose”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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