Word
insincere
Phoneticsin·sin·cere, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnsɪnˈsɪɹ/
UK/ˌɪnsɪnsˈiə/
Definition
adj. not really meaning what you say or show. You use it for praise, smiles, or apologies that feel fake.
adj. lacking genuine feeling or conviction; saying or showing something not truly felt or believed. Often describes praise, sympathy, or apologies that appear false or calculated.
Examples
“Her smile looks insincere and cold.”
“He gave an insincere apology just to end the argument quickly.”
“The politician's insincere promises of reform fooled few voters who remembered years of inaction.”
Examples
simple
“Her smile looks insincere and cold.”
contextual
“He gave an insincere apology just to end the argument quickly.”
complex
“The politician's insincere promises of reform fooled few voters who remembered years of inaction.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “insincere” in context.
Verb
01. appear insincere
“The smile appeared insincere, and customers noticed it immediately.”
verb + adj
02. insincere about reform
“Critics say the company is insincere about reform and real change.”
adj + prep + noun
03. insincere in manner
“The host was polite but insincere in manner throughout the interview.”
adj + prep + noun
Adjective
04. completely insincere
“Her sympathy sounded completely insincere to the grieving family.”
adv + adj
05. deeply insincere
“His tribute sounded deeply insincere after years of public criticism.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. insincere apology
“She issued an insincere apology that only made the situation worse.”
adj + noun
07. insincere flattery
“Voters are tired of insincere flattery before every election.”
adj + noun
08. insincere praise
“Employees quickly detect insincere praise from their managers.”
adj + noun
09. insincere smile
“He greeted us with an insincere smile that never reached his eyes.”
adj + noun
10. dismiss praise as insincere
“Staff dismissed the manager's praise as insincere and self-serving.”
11. flash an insincere smile
“She flashed an insincere smile for the cameras at the event.”
12. offer an insincere apology
“The airline offered an insincere apology after losing our luggage.”
Real-World Examples
“Maybe that’s true, and maybe it’s a case of social anxiety and shyness being so unusual in the professional football ranks that fans have to see it as something insincere.” Etymology
From Latin insincerus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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