hypocrite
gb/hˈɪpəkɹˌɪt/ us/hˈɪpəkɹˌɪt/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
role
1
Person who pretends to be moral
A hypocrite is someone who says one thing is right but does the opposite.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a hypocrite; call [someone] a hypocrite; accuse [someone] of being a hypocrite
Common mistake:
Do not confuse the person (a hypocrite) with the behavior (hypocrisy).
Synonyms
two-faced person (Emphasizes showing different faces to different people.)
|
fraud (Stronger; suggests deliberate deception or dishonesty.)
|
phoney (Informal; stresses being fake or not genuine.)
|
impostor (Often used for pretending to be a different person or professional role, not just moral standards.)
Antonyms
sincere person (Open and honest about beliefs and feelings.)
|
person of integrity (Acts consistently with stated values.)
|
straight shooter (Informal; speaks plainly and honestly.)
Collocations
a hypocrite
|a total hypocrite
|a complete hypocrite
|a self-righteous hypocrite
|a religious hypocrite
|political hypocrites
|accuse [someone] of being a hypocrite
|call [someone] a hypocrite
|no better than a hypocrite
|act like a hypocrite
Themes
ethics
|social_relations
|behavior
|conflict
Examples
- He lectures everyone about honesty, but he lies to his clients—he’s a hypocrite.
- She called him a hypocrite for criticizing gossip while spreading rumors himself.
- People will listen more if you’re not seen as a hypocrite.
Learner examples
- Don’t be a hypocrite—follow the same rules you give other people.
- He is a hypocrite because he says smoking is bad but he smokes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hypocrite
IPA
GB/hˈɪpəkɹˌɪt/
US/hˈɪpəkɹˌɪt/
Syllables & stress
hy - po - crite (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (hy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hypocrite
- Plural: hypocrite, hypocrites
Word family
Forms
hypocrites
noun
Core family
hypocrisy
noun C1
hypocritical
adjective C1
Related words
hypocritically
adverb C1
Expressions
do as i say, not as i do
1/dˈu ˈæz ˈaɪ sˈeɪ | nˈɑt ˈæz ˈaɪ dˈu/
idiom
Follow my advice, not my actions
Listen to my advice, even if I don’t follow it.
Examples
- He keeps telling his kids not to shout, but he shouts all the time—classic ‘do as I say, not as I do.’
- The company preaches transparency, but it acts like ‘do as we say, not as we do.’
practice what you preach
1/pɹˈæktɪs wˈʌt jˈu pɹˈit͡ʃ/
idiom
do what you tell others to do
To do the things that you tell other people are right or important.
Examples
- If you tell your kids not to shout, you should practice what you preach.
- The manager talks about work–life balance but doesn’t practice what he preaches.
- Voters want leaders who practice what they preach.
practice what you preach
1/pɹˈæktɪs wˈʌt jˈu pɹˈit͡ʃ/
idiom
Do what you say others should
Do the same good things you tell others to do.
Examples
- If you want your team to be punctual, you need to practice what you preach.
- She tells everyone to be kind, but she doesn’t always practice what she preaches.
preach one thing and do another
1/pɹˈit͡ʃ wˈʌn θˈɪŋ ˈænd dˈu ənˈʌðɚ/
fixed phrase
Say one thing, do the opposite
Say something is right, but not do it yourself.
Examples
- It’s hard to trust leaders who preach one thing and do another.
- He preaches one thing and does another when no one is watching.
the pot calling the kettle black
1/ðə pˈɑt kˈɔlɪŋ ðə kˈɛtəl blˈæk/
idiom
informal
Accuse others of your own fault
You criticize someone for the same bad thing you do.
Examples
- You’re calling her messy, but your room is worse—it’s the pot calling the kettle black.
- When he complains about other people’s driving, it feels like the pot calling the kettle black.