Hypocritical

Characterized by behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel; professing to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually possess. It involves a discrepancy between publicly espoused beliefs and private actions or opinions. A hypocritical person often judges others for behaviors they themselves engage in, or holds others to standards they don't adhere to themselves, revealing a lack of sincerity and integrity.

Hypocritical meaning with examples

• The politician, who constantly preached about family values, was exposed for having several extramarital affairs, making his previous statements seem utterly hypocritical and damaging his credibility.
• She criticized her friend for gossiping, yet she was the first to spread rumors about other colleagues; her hypocritical actions made her a target for ridicule in the workplace.
• The company's CEO, a vocal advocate for environmental sustainability, was discovered to be investing heavily in environmentally damaging industries, highlighting a blatant act of hypocrisy.
• He condemned those who cheated on their taxes while secretly sheltering his own income in offshore accounts, demonstrating a starkly hypocritical stance on financial responsibility.