Hypocrisy (noun)

  1. The practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case.
  2. The practice of pretending to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually possess.

Origin:

Late 16th century: from french hypocrisie, or via latin from greek hupokrisis "acting, pretense", from hupokrinesthai "play a part", from hupo "under" + krinein "decide".

Examples:

  1. His accusation of corruption was marred by hypocrisy, as he himself had been found guilty of the same crime.
  2. The preacher's talk of humility was undermined by his obvious hypocrisy.
  3. The politician's hypocritical stance on the issue angered many voters.
  4. The activist's hypocrisy was exposed when she was caught breaking the very laws she had fought to impose.
  5. His hypocrisy was evident in the way he treated his employees.
Some random words: diner, slaveholder, chemist