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hypocrisy

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hypocrisy

Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling for "hypocrisy" (British English):

/hɪˈpɒkɹəsi/

Breakdown by Syllable:

  • hip (hɪ)

    • h - voiceless glottal fricative

    • ɪ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "bit")

  • o.cry (ˈpɒk) (stress on this syllable)

    • ˈ - primary stress

    • p - voiceless bilabial plosive

    • ɒ - open back rounded vowel (like the "o" in "cot")

    • k - voiceless velar plosive

  • sy (ɹəsi)

    • ɹ - alveolar approximant (similar to the "r" sound in American English)

    • ə - central vowel (schwa sound)

    • s - voiceless alveolar fricative

    • i - close near-front unrounded vowel (like the "ee" in "see")

Word Form Variations

The word "hypocrisy" has the following variations:

  • Singular: hypocrisy (most common form)

  • Plural: hypocrisies

There are no other verb forms or conjugations for "hypocrisy" itself. However, it can be related to other words that describe a hypocritical person or action:

  • Adjective: hypocritical (describes someone who behaves hypocritically)

  • Verb: hypocritize (to act hypocritically)

  • Noun (person): hypocrite (someone who behaves hypocritically)

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Noun:

  • Definition: The act of pretending to have certain beliefs, feelings, or moral values that you don't actually hold. It's a kind of dishonesty where you say one thing but do another, often to make yourself look better.

  • Synonyms: duplicity, double standard, insincerity, two-facedness, sanctimony

  • Antonyms: genuineness, sincerity, authenticity, integrity, honesty

Adjective:

  • Definition: Behaving in a hypocritical way. Describing someone who claims to have certain beliefs but acts differently.

  • Synonyms: duplicitous, insincere, two-faced, sanctimonious, phoney (informal)

  • Antonyms: genuine, sincere, authentic, truthful, honest

Verb (not common, but can be used figuratively):

  • Definition: To act in a hypocritical way.

  • (Note: This usage is less common than the noun and adjective forms. More common verbs to describe such behaviour include "feign," "pretend," or "be insincere.")

  • Synonyms: feign hypocrisy, be insincere, put on an act (informal)

  • Antonyms: be genuine, be sincere, be truthful, be honest

Examples of Use

  • Literature:

  • In Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the character Bob Ewell accuses Atticus Finch of hypocrisy for defending a black man while showing prejudice towards his own daughter Scout (Lee).

  • Newspapers:

    • A headline from The Guardian reads: "Politician Accused of Hypocrisy Over Vacation During Climate Crisis" (The Guardian).

  • Online Publications:

    • A social media post criticises a celebrity for promoting healthy eating while being photographed at a fast-food restaurant (Twitter).

  • Entertainment Media:

    • In the sitcom The Office, Michael Scott often makes insensitive jokes while preaching about workplace diversity, highlighting his hypocrisy (The Office).

  • Public Discourse:

    • During a debate, a candidate accuses their opponent of being hypocritical for supporting a policy they previously opposed (Political Debate).

Bonus Example:

  • Historical Context:

    • The concept of hypocrisy has been a theme throughout history. Many religious texts condemn hypocrisy, such as the passage in the Bible where Jesus criticises the Pharisees for their outward piety while neglecting true righteousness (Matthew 23:27-28).

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Hypocrisy

  1. "Hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue." - François de La Rochefoucauld (French moralist)

  2. "The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy." - William Hazlitt (English essayist)

  3. "The hypocrite is the one who builds a road to heaven for others but walks the old path to hell himself." - C.S. Lewis (British author)

  4. "Beware of the barrenness of a busy life." - Socrates (Greek philosopher) (This quote cleverly uses "barrenness" to imply the hypocrisy of someone who seems very active for good but achieves nothing)

  5. "Liberty is the right of every man to be honest, to think and to speak without hypocrisy." - Baron d'Holbach (French philosopher)

  6. "A politician is a fellow who promises to build a bridge where there isn't any river." - Will Rogers (American actor and humorist) (This quote highlights the hypocrisy of politicians who make promises they can't keep)

  7. "With age comes wisdom. Sometimes." - Stephen King (American author) (This playful quote can be interpreted as a self-deprecating remark about the hypocrisy of someone who might claim to be wiser with age but still acts foolishly)

  8. "We are all hypocrites to some degree." - Voltaire (French writer and philosopher) (This quote takes a more nuanced view, suggesting hypocrisy might be a universal human flaw)

  9. "Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative." - Oscar Wilde (Irish writer and poet) (This quote, while not directly mentioning hypocrisy, can be interpreted as a defence against accusations of hypocrisy for changing one's views)

  10. "Society is a conspiracy against the young." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (American philosopher) (Similar to quote #4, this quote implies a hypocrisy in societal expectations that can be seen as hypocritical towards younger generations)

Etymology

The word "hypocrisy" comes from a long journey, all the way back to Ancient Greece! The original Greek word was "hypokrisis," which didn't exactly mean "pretending to be good."

Here's the breakdown:

  • Ancient Greece: Think actors in ancient plays. They wore big masks to show what character they were playing. "Hypokrisis" meant "acting" or "playing a part."

  • Over Time: The meaning shifted. People realised actors weren't the only ones who put on a show. The word started to refer to anyone who pretended to be something they weren't, especially someone pretending to be good or moral.

  • French Connection: The word travelled to France and became "ypocrisie" around the 12th century. It still meant faking goodness.

  • English Arrival: Finally, by the 13th century, "hypocrisy" arrived in English. It kept the meaning of pretending to be good or holy, which is the way we use it today.

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Hypocrisy

  • Here's a list of phrases and idioms using the word "hypocrisy":

    • Phrases:

      • The pot calling the kettle black: This idiom refers to someone criticising another person for something they themselves do.

      • To preach one thing and do another: This phrase describes someone who has different standards for themselves than for others.

      • A double standard: This refers to a situation where rules or expectations are applied differently depending on the person.

      • A wolf in sheep's clothing: This describes someone who pretends to be harmless but is actually dangerous.

      • Full of hot air: This is a more informal way of saying someone talks a big game but doesn't follow through.

    • Idioms:

      • Actions speak louder than words: This emphasises that someone's actions are more important than what they say.

      • There's a time and a place for everything: This suggests that hypocrisy can occur when someone behaves inappropriately for the situation.

      • You can't have your cake and eat it too: This idiom implies that someone can't benefit from both sides of a situation. (Can be a bit metaphorical, but applies to hypocrisy where someone wants the advantages of being good without the effort)

      • People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones: This warns against criticising others for something you're guilty of yourself.

    These phrases and idioms can all be used to point out hypocrisy in a situation.

Posts Related to Hypocrisy

Source Information

Definition of hypocrisy from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.