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heuchlerisch

hypocritical, sanctimonious, two-faced

adjective HOYKH-le-rish Rare

Usage Note

Heuchlerisch describes behaviour that pretends to virtue while acting otherwise; derived from Heuchler (hypocrite). Heuchlerisches Mitgefühl is insincere sympathy. Closely related: scheinheilig (holy-seeming but false).

Examples

"Es wirkte heuchlerisch, nach Jahren plötzlich Reue zu zeigen."

Natural Translation

It seemed hypocritical to suddenly show remorse after years.

Literal Translation

It seemed hypocritical to suddenly show regret after years.

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