Is there a word that describe a person who doesn't "practice what they preach"? Basically, is there a synonym for "hypocrite" that carries less pejorative connotations?
For example, let's say a friend of mine says he is a Christian. Yet he engages in behaviors considered sins by the Bible, making him a hypocrite. And I would like to tell him I think he is a hypocrite.
What would be a good word to use here, so my criticism seems constructive rather than offensive?
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I tried using a thesaurus, but the synonyms that came up were even worse (ie: they are more offensive than "hypocrite").
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Related (but different) question: Alternatives to "hypocrite", which asks what to call someone who knows they are in the group of people they criticize.
Best Answer
Two alternatives come to mind:
I. Hypocritical (as an adjective)
Example: "I think you are being hypocritical."
I view using the adjective as less confrontational because it attacks the behavior, not the person.
II. Not walking the walk (the idiom)
I think this is softer too because it's usually used in lighter conversation, and thus has less of a knee-jerk reaction.
Example: "I don't think you walk the walk." (still a bit blunt though)
Starting with a question
In either case, you might consider phrasing the statement as a question instead to soften it up further.
Example: "Do you think you're being hypocritical?"
Example: "Do you feel you walk the walk?"