Hypocrisy is the quality or behavior of pretending to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. It denotes a discrepancy between stated norms and actual conduct, often highlighted in criticism or satire. As a noun, it refers to the practice or habit of engaging in such pretense, typically in social, political, or personal contexts.
"The politician condemned corruption, yet his revelations about others’ hypocrisy undermined his credibility."
"Her friends called out the hypocrisy of claiming to support environmentalism while flying frequently."
"The novel’s antagonist exposes the hypocrisy of the town’s moralists."
"We recognized the hypocrisy of promising reform while ignoring evident abuses in the system."
Hypocrisy comes from Middle English hypocrisie, via Old French hypocrisie, from Late Latin hypocrisis, and ultimately from Greek hypokrisis meaning a ‘putting on a mask’ or ‘acting on stage.’ The Greek term combines hypo- ‘under, below’ with krisis ‘judgment’ or ‘decision,’ though the sense evolved toward ‘acting under false pretenses’ in religious and social contexts. Early English usage by the 16th century centered on religious or moral pretense, with satirical and political writings of the Elizabethan era harnessing hypocrisy as a critique of moral double standards. Over time, the word broadened to general refer to any pretended virtue that masks private vice, becoming a staple of literary critique, political rhetoric, and social analysis. The connotation remains largely negative, signaling duplicity and a disjunction between declared values and actual behavior. The term’s semantic drift from a performative mask to a critique of moral inconsistency reflects broader social concerns about authenticity, integrity, and accountability. Modern usage preserves its classic sense of feigned virtue in personal conduct, policy discourse, and public life, often invoked to spotlight hypocrisy in arguments, institutions, and leadership. In summary, hypocrisy denotes the dissonance between professed ethics and performed actions, rooted in ancient linguistic constructs about stage performance and moral guardrails. First known use in English appeared in the 16th century, solidifying into the current expression of moral duplicity.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Hypocrisy" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Hypocrisy" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Hypocrisy" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Hypocrisy"
- sy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Pronounce it with three syllables: /hɪˈɒ.krə.si/ (US) or /hɪˈɒ.krə.si/ (UK/AU). The primary stress falls on the second syllable: hi-PROC-i-ty. Start with a short ‘hi’ /hɪ/, then a stressed /ˈɒ/ or /ˈɒk/ segment leading into /rə/ and final /si/. Keep the /kr/ cluster tight and finish with a clear /si/.
Two frequent errors: 1) Misplacing stress, saying hi-POC-ri-sy or hi-POC-rah-see; ensure second syllable carries primary stress: /ˈɒk/ or /ˈɒkrə/. 2) Weakened final syllable, pronouncing -sy as /siː/ or /si/ without proper short vowel; keep final /i/ as a short /i/ sound. Correct by isolating the sequence -provoking clarity: /hɪˈɒ.krə.si/.
US: /hɪˈɒ.krə.si/ with a short /ɪ/ in first syllable and rhotic /r/. UK/AU: similar pattern but non-rhotic in some British varieties (may sound like /hɪˈɒ.krə.si/ or /həˈpɒkrəsi/ in very broad dialects). Differences are mild; main variation is vowel quality and rhoticity. Accent tends to influence the vowel in the second syllable slightly, but the primary stress remains on the second syllable across all, with final -sy pronounced as /si/.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable rhythm and the /ɒk/ cluster in the stressed syllable, plus the unstressed -rə-, which shortens vowels and reduces syllables. Some speakers distort the /kr/ sequence or replace /ɒ/ with a more open vowel. Also, non-native speakers may mis-harmonize vowel qualities across syllables, leading to a choppy cadence. Focus on keeping a tight /kr/ sequence and clear final /si/.
A unique question is the stress and the vowel quality in the opened second syllable: the nucleus is /ˈɒ/ (UK) or /ˈɒ/ (US) in the second syllable before r. Learners should practice the transition from /ɪ/ to /ɒ/ in the second syllable and keep the /kr/ cluster precise. The syllable order is hi-PRO-phy, not hi-POC-ry. Use straight jaw and lips to avoid vowel flattening and to maintain crisp /kr/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Hypocrisy"!
No related words found
