Being hypocritical refers to the act of pretending to have beliefs, opinions or principles that one does not actually possess. There are several words that can be used in place of being hypocritical such as insincere, false, two-faced, deceitful, phony, fraudulent, fake, and disingenuous. These words all describe individuals who behave in a way that contradicts their stated beliefs. Some people may display hypocrisy in order to avoid negative consequences, while others do it to deceive others. Regardless of the reason, the act of being hypocritical is generally viewed as negative and tarnishes a person's credibility and reputation. It's important to be honest and authentic in all aspects of life to maintain a sense of integrity.