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Is there a single word for a hypocrite that believes themselves?

English Language & Usage Asked on March 4, 2021

Is there a single word for someone who firmly believes themselves to act in one way, but whose actions are contradictory to their beliefs?

Think of someone who advocates for moral behavior and believes themself to adhere to it, but can be observed to regularly violate that behavior.

Hypocrisy is close but it seems like Hypocrites feign belief rather than have it sincerely.
Inconsistent is accurate but not specific enough to be ideal.

Similar phrases;

  • Lacking congruence between belief and action.
  • Lacking self-awareness.
  • Unintentional hypocrisy.

3 Answers

Actually, hypocrite is the correct word. A hypocrite is someone who says one thing but does its opposite. According to m-w.com, a hypocrite is "a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings". [1]

[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocrite

Correct answer by FeliniusRex on March 4, 2021

A phrase often used is that he “believes his own story.”

See https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=believes+his+own+story&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=26&smoothing=3&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cbelieves%20his%20own%20story%3B%2Cc0

This phrase often, but not always, incorporates the idea of hypocrisy.

Answered by Xanne on March 4, 2021

Not a single word, but delusional hypocrite fits your description. Here is a use in the wild:

It is the hypocrisy that stems from “self-delusion” — where one becomes unaware that one’s own actions or beliefs have become contradictions. Springfield News Leader

Answered by Conrado on March 4, 2021

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