INSINCERE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does insincere mean? 

• INSINCERE (adjective)
  The adjective INSINCERE has 1 sense:

1. lacking sincerity

  Familiarity information: INSINCERE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INSINCERE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking sincerity

Context example:

their praise was extravagant and insincere

Similar:

bootlicking; fawning; obsequious; sycophantic; toadyish (attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery)

buttery; fulsome; oily; oleaginous; smarmy; soapy; unctuous (unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech)

dissimulative (concealing under a false appearance with the intent to deceive)

false (deliberately deceptive)

feigned (not genuine)

gilded; glossy; meretricious; specious (based on pretense; deceptively pleasing)

hypocritical (professing feelings or virtues one does not have)

plausible (given to or characterized by presenting specious arguments)

Also:

counterfeit; imitative (not genuine; imitating something superior)

dishonest; dishonorable (deceptive or fraudulent; disposed to cheat or defraud or deceive)

artful; disingenuous (not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness)

unreal (lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria)

false (not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality)

Attribute:

sincerity (the quality of being open and truthful; not deceitful or hypocritical)

Antonym:

sincere (open and genuine; not deceitful)

Derivation:

insincerity (the quality of not being open or truthful; deceitful or hypocritical)

 Context examples 

Now, with an effort, he shrugged his shoulders and burst into insincere laughter.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He glanced across the top of the paper he was reading, showing a pair of dark, insincere, sharp-staring eyes.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

But however insincere you may choose to be, you shall not find me so.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

I am persuaded that you can be as insincere as your neighbours, when it is necessary; but there is no reason to suppose the instrument is indifferent.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Social norms dictate that we should forgive someone if they apologize, which puts the targets of social rejection in a difficult position if they aren't ready to do this or think the apology is insincere.

(Sometimes You Shouldn't Say Sorry, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

I should not settle tamely down into being the forbearing party; I should assign you your share of labour, and compel you to accomplish it, or else it should be left undone: I should insist, also, on your keeping some of those drawling, half-insincere complaints hushed in your own breast.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Miss Bingley's congratulations to her brother, on his approaching marriage, were all that was affectionate and insincere.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Emma watched and decided, that with such feelings as were now shewn, it could not be fairly supposed that he had been ever voluntarily absenting himself; that he had not been acting a part, or making a parade of insincere professions; and that Mr. Knightley certainly had not done him justice.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)