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Glite Dictionary
Tartufe

Tartufe

9.9
A person who pretends to be very religious to hide bad behavior
  • noun
  • /tɑrˈtuf/
  • Offensive
translation icon : tartufo
  • Like Molière's Tartufe, she hid her ambitions behind a façade of devotion.

Examples

  • Literary critics often refer to political charlatans as modern Tartufes.

  • He was exposed as a Tartufe, preaching morality while secretly profiting from corruption.

  • He acted like a Tartufe by pretending to be virtuous.

  • Many people see him as a modern-day Tartufe.

  • He was exposed as a Tartufe, pretending to be righteous while engaging in deceitful practices.

  • Just like Molière's Tartufe, he masked his true intentions beneath an appearance of piety.

  • She is often called a Tartufe for her hypocritical displays of sincerity in public.

Synonyms

hypocrite
vsTartufe
  • Offensive
150 5.6

A person who says they have good morals but does not follow them

is a specific type who pretends religious virtue often as a named character
Tartuffe
vsTartufe
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who pretends to be very religious to get money or power

is a general label for religious pretence not tied to the original play
tartuffian
vsTartufe
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who pretends to be moral but is not

is the literary comic figure that inspired this description
pharisee
vsTartufe
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who pretends to be morally better but is not sincere

is a theatrical example that focuses on feigned devotion rather than general self righteousness
Holy Willie
vsTartufe
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who pretends to be very good and judges others

is a theatrical figure mocking false devotion rather than moral policing

Antonyms

sincere
239 2.5

Being honest and showing what you really feel

virtuous
35 4.3

Being morally good and doing what is right

How Honest

Tartufe
  • Offensive
9.9
deceiver
13 5.5

Surface Forms

Tartufe singular
Tartufes plural

Etymology

Tartufe comes from the title character Tartuffe in Molière's play, a man who pretended to be very religious while secretly dishonest. So today calling someone a Tartufe means they are a 'hypocrite' who 'pretends to be good' while hiding bad behaviour.