PoliticsAugust 30, 2026

duplicitousness

doo-PLIS-ih-tus-nes

Definition

The quality of being deceitful or dishonest by acting in two different ways to different people at the same time.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'duplicitous', meaning 'twofold', which stems from 'duplex'. It entered English to describe someone who presents one face to the world while holding contrary beliefs or intentions.

In the news

The term is used by a critic to describe the perceived contradiction between Mohan Bhagwat’s inclusive messaging in the U.S. and his organization’s reported actions in India, suggesting his stance is insincere.

‘Hindutva does not envisage India without Muslims': RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at NY event

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The News Minute

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