hypocrisy

/hɪˈpɒkrəsi/ (bre, ipa) · /hɪˈpɑːkrəsi/ (ame, ipa) · /hi-ˈpä-krə-sē also hī-/ (ame, mw)

hypocrisy — noun

1. the practice of claiming to hold moral standards, beliefs, or feelings that you

1.名詞B2
釋義

the practice of claiming to hold moral standards, beliefs, or feelings that you do not actually follow in your actions — for example, preaching honesty while regularly lying yourself

例句

Voters see clear hypocrisy when politicians demand sacrifice from others but grant exceptions for themselves.

hypocrisy when [person] demands X from others but Y for themselves

The charity was accused of hypocrisy after its director flew first class while asking donors to give more.

accused of hypocrisy — gap between what you ask and what you do

同義詞
  • insincerity

    Broader and less morally charged; insincerity covers any gap between words and feelings, not necessarily about moral standards one claims to uphold

  • pretense

    Focuses on the act of pretending itself rather than the contradiction between words and actions; you can have pretense without hypocrisy

  • duplicity

    Implies deliberate deception and double-dealing, a stronger accusation that carries overtones of dishonesty for personal gain

  • sanctimony

    Specifically about pretending to be morally or religiously superior; a narrower, more pejorative term than hypocrisy

反義詞
  • sincerity

    The quality of being genuine in expressing feelings and beliefs

  • honesty

    Straightforward truthfulness in words and actions, without the gap that defines hypocrisy

  • integrity

    Consistency between moral principles and behaviour — the direct opposite of hypocrisy

文法句型

hypocrisy + of + noun/-ing form

accuse + someone + of + hypocrisy

show/demonstrate + hypocrisy

用法筆記

Uncountable when referring to the general concept or behaviour (e.g., 'his speech was full of hypocrisy'). The countable form ('a hypocrisy', 'hypocrisies') is used for specific instances but sounds more formal or literary. Common in political, moral, and religious contexts, as well as in everyday complaints about double standards.

常見錯誤

❌He is a hypocrisy.
✅He is a hypocrite.
💡Hypocrisy is the abstract behaviour or quality; the person who practices it is a hypocrite.
❌I hate all these hypocrisies in politics.
✅I hate all this hypocrisy in politics.
💡For general disapproval of the behaviour, use the uncountable form.