Master confusing words with ease
Hypercritical vs. Hypocritical
Hypercritical
/hʌɪpəˈkrɪtɪk(ə)l/Examples:
His hypercritical nature often caused tension in meetings.She was hypercritical of every decision, slowing progress.Being hypercritical can drive a wedge between colleagues.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Hypocritical
Examples:
She criticized his hypocritical stance on climate change.His hypocritical persona masked his true intentions.The company's policies were seen as hypocritical by employees.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Hypercritical has the prefix hyper-, which indicates excess or over; think of it as overly critical.
- Hypocritical has the prefix hypo-, which usually means under but in this case relates to hypocrisy, implying false or insincere actions.
- Remember that a hypercritical person might find fault in every small detail, while a hypocritical person might say one thing and do another.
- Both words have critical in them, but their meanings diverge due to their prefixes.
- Visualize hyper as someone constantly pointing out flaws, whereas hypo involves secret duplicity.
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