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insincere

adjective

/ˌɪn sɪnˈsɪər/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of insincere

Having a lack of genuine or honest intentions, feelings, or expressions.
"Her insincere apology did not convince anyone of her remorse."

Detailed meaning of insincere

It refers to behavior or communication that is deceptive, disingenuous, or not heartfelt. When someone is insincere, they may pretend to have certain emotions, beliefs, or intentions that they do not truly possess. This can manifest in various ways, such as giving compliments without sincerity, making promises without intending to keep them, or feigning interest in others' concerns. Insincere individuals often prioritize their own agenda or manipulate others for personal gain, disregarding the importance of authenticity and trust. It is important to be cautious of insincere individuals and to cultivate genuine connections based on honesty and sincerity.

Example sentences containing insincere

1. I could sense the insincere tone in his compliments; they felt forced.
2. His insincere smile concealed his true feelings of animosity.
3. She had an insincere attitude towards her coworkers, always pretending to be friendly.
4. The politician's insincere promises failed to gain the trust of the public.
5. The insincere compliment made her question the person's true intentions.
6. He gave an insincere excuse for his absence, which no one believed.

History and etymology of insincere

The adjective 'insincere' has its roots in the Latin word 'insincerus,' which is a combination of 'in,' meaning 'not,' and 'sincerus,' meaning 'sincere' or 'pure.' The word 'sincerus' itself is believed to have originated from the phrase 'sine cera,' which means 'without wax' in Latin. In ancient times, unscrupulous traders would use wax to cover up flaws in their merchandise, making them appear better than they were. Therefore, 'sine cera' became associated with honesty and authenticity. Over time, 'insincerus' evolved into 'insincere' in English, retaining its connotation of lacking genuine or honest intentions, feelings, or expressions, akin to something tainted or impure by wax, and thus, not truly sincere.

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Further usage examples of insincere

1. The insincere flattery from her colleague made her feel uncomfortable.
2. It was clear that his apology was insincere; he showed no remorse in his actions.
3. The insincere laughter in the room revealed the underlying tension.
4. I could see through his insincere compliments; they lacked authenticity.
5. Their insincere promises of change were met with skepticism by the team.
6. The insincere friendship was based on mutual interest rather than genuine connection.
7. Her insincere sympathy towards others was evident in her lack of empathy.
8. The insincere salesman's pitch was filled with empty promises.
9. He had an insincere demeanor, always putting on a false persona.
10. The insincere apology only served to further aggravate the situation.
11. It was obvious that his words of praise were insincere; he had ulterior motives.
12. The insincere compliments from her classmates only fueled her insecurity.
13. His insincere actions damaged his reputation and trustworthiness.
14. His insincere apology failed to repair the trust he had broken with his friend.
15. Sarah's insincere smile didn't fool anyone; they could see right through it.
16. The politician's insincere promises were met with skepticism by the public.
17. Tom's insincere compliments were transparent attempts to gain favor.
18. Jenny detected his insincere enthusiasm about the project during the meeting.
19. Their insincere gestures of sympathy did little to comfort the grieving family.
20. Mark's insincere interest in her hobbies became evident over time.
21. The insincere praise from her coworker felt more like manipulation than encouragement.
22. Jane's insincere flattery left a bitter taste in her colleague's mouth.
23. Emily's insincere laughter masked her true feelings of discomfort.
24. The insincere apologies in his letter only deepened the rift between them.