INSINCERITY Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

insincerity

noun

Definition of insincerity

as in deception

the pretending of having virtues, principles, or beliefs that one in fact does not have the insincerity of the family's professed concern for the environment is pretty much exposed by the gas-guzzler parked in the driveway

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of insincerity Sondheim’s worst songs are dragged down by uplift, whose insincerity shines right through. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 It was made that much worse when several cast members laughed at her insincerity and Maddi Reese interrupted it several times because there was a stray cat nearby that terrified her. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 29 May 2026 Allen’s combo of flip insincerity and kindly concern is a terrific treat, recalling Bill Murray at his doofy best. — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025 In an era of skepticism, audiences quickly detect insincerity. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 And as the secretive Jack, Travis Van Winkle oozes oily, sexist insincerity. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insincerity

Noun

The investigation also found that men from 29 countries were recruited through deception or coercion to fight for Russian forces, in violation of international law.

— Edith M. Lederer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
But the movie’s most disturbing sequence takes the deception a lot further.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

The best way Ray can think of to do so is to tail her shady husband, Dom (Bobby Cannavale) — all the way into a sordid (but still vaguely family-friendly) web of deceit, murder, blackmail and gangland drama.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
These rosy reveries gradually darken as Wilde remembers succumbing to hedonism, deceit, debt, and disgrace.

— Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of deceit

Noun

Even the modern reestablishment of Israel is telling of the hypocrisy of the Arab world.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Alexander Skarsgård and Olivia Colman play bizarro newlyweds in a naughty parable about lust, jealousy and moral hypocrisy.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of hypocrisy

Noun

Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.

— Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025

Definition of deceptiveness

Noun

But, even then, American socialists walked a fine line—they were considered too radical for the mainstream and a mere bourgeois affectation by committed class revolutionaries.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
With rare exceptions, EV sound is little more than an affectation.

— Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of affectation

Noun

Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of deceitfulness

Noun

Shirley has since visited other states in the US under similar pretenses, showing up unannounced to grocery stores and hospice centers in search of evidence of fraud.

— Mia Sato, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026
The application moves away from last-minute stress, unwanted items, and polite pretense, establishing a modern channel for intentional giving.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretense

Browse Nearby Words

insincerely

insincerity

insinuate

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“Insincerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insincerity. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of insincerity

noun

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