hypocritical
gb/hˌɪpəkɹˈɪtɪkəl/ us/hˌɪpəkɹˈɪtɪkəl/
C1
English
képmutató, álszent
C1
1
képmutató
C1
Usage pattern:
It is hypocritical (of [someone]) to [do something].
It feels hypocritical to tell my kids to limit screen time when I’m always on my phone.
Képmutatásnak érzem azt mondani a gyerekeimnek, hogy korlátozzák a képernyőidejüket, amikor én állandóan a telefonomon lógok.
He called her irresponsible, but it was hypocritical because he was the one who missed the deadline.
Felelőtlennek nevezte őt, de ez képmutatás volt, mert valójában ő mulasztotta el a határidőt.
It’s hypocritical of the company to preach transparency while hiding its fees.
Learner examples
It is hypocritical to say you hate gossip and then gossip yourself.
Képmutató dolog azt mondani, hogy utálod a pletykát, aztán te magad is pletykálsz.
She felt hypocritical after breaking the rule she had just explained.
Képmutatónak érezte magát, miután megszegte azt a szabályt, amelyet az imént magyarázott el.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with 'critical' (negative) or 'hypercritical' (too critical).
Meaning
judging others for same behavior
Collocations
hypocritical to say
|hypocritical to complain
|hypocritical of you
|a bit hypocritical
|seems hypocritical
|downright hypocritical
|deeply hypocritical
|hypocritical stance
|hypocritical criticism
|hypocritical double standard
Synonyms
two-faced (More informal and personal; suggests deception.)
|
inconsistent (Focuses on not matching words and actions, without the moral judgment.)
|
double-dealing (Stronger; implies dishonesty and betrayal.)
Antonyms
consistent (Actions match stated beliefs and standards.)
|
principled (Guided by the same moral rules in all cases.)
Themes
ethics
|relationships
|communication
|emotions
|society
Definition
If you are hypocritical, you say something is wrong but you do it yourself.
Showing a double standard by criticizing someone for something you do yourself, or by applying stricter moral rules to others than to yourself.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
a hypocritical [person/remark/attitude]
Her sudden outrage sounded hypocritical, given how quietly she benefited from the same system.
Hirtelen felháborodása képmutatónak hangzott, tekintve, hogy korábban csendben ugyanabból a rendszerből húzott hasznot.
He made a hypocritical show of compassion in public but was cruel in private.
Nyilvánosan együttérzést színlelt, de a magánéletben kegyetlen volt.
The article criticizes a culture of hypocritical virtue-signaling.
Learner examples
His apology felt hypocritical.
A bocsánatkérése képmutatónak tűnt.
Don’t be hypocritical—say what you really mean.
Ne légy képmutató — mondd azt, amit valóban gondolsz.
Common mistake:
Hypocritical describes behavior or comments; the person is a 'hypocrite' (noun).
Meaning
pretending to be morally better
Collocations
hypocritical person
|hypocritical politician
|hypocritical remark
|hypocritical attitude
|hypocritical apology
|hypocritical moralizing
|hypocritical piety
|hypocritical concern
|hypocritical smile
|hypocritical tone
Synonyms
insincere (General lack of sincerity; not necessarily moral pretense.)
|
self-righteous (Emphasizes acting morally superior to others.)
|
pharisaical (More formal/literary; moral show without true virtue.)
Antonyms
sincere (Genuine in feelings or beliefs.)
|
genuine (Real rather than performed for show.)
Themes
ethics
|communication
|personality
|society
Definition
If something is hypocritical, it is not sincere and it pretends to be good or moral.
Pretending to have moral standards, beliefs, or feelings that you do not truly have, especially to gain approval or avoid criticism.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hypocritical
IPA
GB/hˌɪpəkɹˈɪtɪkəl/
US/hˌɪpəkɹˈɪtɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
hy - po - crit - ic - al (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (crit)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: hypocritical
Word family
Advanced or less common
hypocritically
adverb C1
Expressions
it’s hypocritical of [someone] to [do something]
1/ˈɪts hˌɪpəkɹˈɪtɪkəl əv sˈʌmwˌʌn tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
blame someone for inconsistency
We use this to say a person is not being fair or honest about their own behavior.
Examples
- It’s hypocritical of him to lecture us about punctuality when he’s always late.
- It’s hypocritical of them to oppose censorship while trying to ban books.
- It’s hypocritical of you to accuse her of being selfish after what you did.
Learner examples
- It’s hypocritical of her to judge others like that.
it’s hypocritical to [do something]
1/ˈɪts hˌɪpəkɹˈɪtɪkəl tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
call a double standard
We say this when someone does the opposite of what they say is right.
Examples
- It’s hypocritical to demand honesty while lying about your own mistakes.
- It’s hypocritical to complain about noise when you throw loud parties every weekend.
- It’s hypocritical to criticize her spending if you’re also in debt.
Learner examples
- It’s hypocritical to say that and then do the opposite.