Duplicity is a noun that refers to contradictory speech or behavior.

The Latin word duplicitas (doo plea CHEAT us) means ‘twofold.’ You could think of any form of duplicity as twofold in the same way we think of a liar or cheater as ‘two-faced.’

Example: Many people refuse to vote because they find cases of duplicity in the political world. But it’s important to remember that not all public officials are guilty of this kind of contradictory behavior.