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insincerely

insincerely

1 4.5
To say or do something without meaning it
  • adverb
  • /ˌɪn.sɪnˈsɪr.li/
translation icon : insinceramente
  • When she said, "That's a great idea," her voice was insincerely enthusiastic.
  • say insincerely
  • smile insincerely

Examples

  • Smiling insincerely down at the dog (my hand still in its harmless mouth), I took my change from the bartender with my free hand.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • She apologized insincerely, her tone revealing her true feelings.

  • And then they go and try to insincerely embrace the issues of people who are never going to vote for them anyway.

    Blog text (24)
  • I'm sorry," he adds insincerely.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • When Michel had spoken insincerely to Claire, her bright red smirk acted as a lie detector.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Sen. Clinton won last night, in large part, due to Republicans following Rush's advice to insincerely vote for Sen. Clinton "because she will be easier to beat in November."

    Blog text (16)
  • And I'm just so glad I got out before finding myself in a room full of hopeful family members all watching me choke down my disappointment while I try to figure out if I should leave (and cause a scene) or insincerely go through the motions.

    Blog text (12)
  • On the one hand, ratification may reflect a sincere intent to give effect to the content of the treaty as an end in itself; while on the other hand, states may ratify human rights treaties insincerely.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Later, of course, he would magnanimously excuse her behavior to viewers, insincerely sympathizing with the emotional trauma she had endured, thus coming off as a fearless reporter and a compassionate guy.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • He smiled insincerely, clearly not meaning the compliment he offered.

Synonyms

glibly
vsinsincerely
3 7.7

Speak in a smooth way that does not seem honest

is simple lack of sincerity, not necessarily shallow or smooth delivery
disingenuously
vsinsincerely
2 8.4

In a dishonest way, by pretending not to know something

is a broader lack of genuineness without the particular pretense
deceitfully
vsinsincerely
1 6.3

In a way that tries to trick someone

is general insincerity without the clear intent to trick or harm
untruthfully
vsinsincerely
1 5.9

In a way that is not true to make other people believe something false

is lack of sincerity focused on honesty rather than merely saying falsehoods
fulsomely
vsinsincerely
  • Formal
1 9.4

To praise someone too much so it does not sound sincere

is plain absence of sincerity without the extra flattering tone
unctuously
vsinsincerely
1 9.8

Speaks or acts in a too friendly way that does not seem honest

is general lack of honesty without the oily ingratiating style
slimily
vsinsincerely
  • Offensive
1 8.3

In a friendly but not honest way that makes people not trust you

is plain absence of sincerity without the specifically unpleasant tone
feignedly
vsinsincerely
8.8

In a way that pretends to be real but is not

is general absence of honesty, not always a clear act of pretending
smarmily
vsinsincerely
  • Informal
9.3

In a very polite but fake way to get someone to like you

is a broader term for lack of sincerity not limited to flattery

Antonyms

152 1.0

In a way that shows true feelings without pretending

14 4.4

In a real way that matches the original or traditional form

How Sincere

sincerely
152 1.0
insincerely
1 4.5
dishonestly
4 3.5

Surface Forms

insincerely positive

Morphology

insincerely = insincere (transparent) = in + sincere + ly

The adverb is formed in the standard way from the adjective 'insincere' with '-ly', and the meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

The word insincerely starts with the prefix in- 'not' and the root sincere which means 'honest' or 'pure'. A helpful way to remember is the old story that sincere meant 'without wax', like something truly pure, so insincerely means doing something 'not honestly' or without real feeling.