deceive

[ dih-seev ]

verb (used with object)

, de·ceived, de·ceiv·ing.

1. to mislead by a false appearance or statement; delude:

   They deceived the enemy by disguising the destroyer as a freighter.

   Synonyms: fool, dupe, cozen, betray, ensnare, entrap, outwit, defraud, trick, hoodwink, gull

2. to be unfaithful to (one's spouse or lover).
3. Archaic. to while away (time).

verb (used without object)

, de·ceived, de·ceiv·ing.

1. to mislead or falsely persuade others; practice deceit:

   an engaging manner that easily deceives.

deceive

/ dɪˈsiːv /

verb

1. to mislead by deliberate misrepresentation or lies
2. to delude (oneself)
3. to be unfaithful to (one's sexual partner)
4. archaic.
   to disappoint

   his hopes were deceived

Derived Forms

• deˈceivingly, adverb
• deˈceiver, noun
• deˈceiving, nounadjective
• deˈceivableness, noun
• deˈceivable, adjective
• deˈceivably, adverb

Other Words From

• de·ceiv·a·ble·ness de·ceiv·a·bil·i·ty [dih-see-v, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• de·ceiv·a·bly adverb
• de·ceiv·er noun
• de·ceiv·ing·ly adverb
• in·ter·de·ceive verb interdeceived interdeceiving
• non·de·ceiv·ing adjective
• pre·de·ceive verb (used with object) predeceived predeceiving
• re·de·ceive verb (used with object) redeceived redeceiving
• well-de·ceived adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deceive¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English deceiven, from Old French deceivre, from Latin dēcipere, literally, “to ensnare,” equivalent to dē- de- + -cipere, combining form of capere “to take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of deceive¹

C13: from Old French deceivre, from Latin dēcipere to ensnare, cheat, from capere to take

Synonym Study

See cheat.

Example Sentences

Instead, increasing numbers of Americans have a media diet that is mostly a bunch of lies, conspiracy theories, irrelevant diatribes and other such bunkum that right-wing propagandists use to deceive people.

From Salon

Democratic leaders could not even bring themselves to move an obviously diminished Joe Biden out of the race until it was too late, instead attempting to deceive the public about the state of his decline while hoping for the best.

From Slate

“Attempts to deceive the public with false content about FBI threat assessments and activities aim to undermine our democratic process and erode trust in the electoral system.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Attempts to deceive the public with false content about FBI threat assessments and activities aim to undermine our democratic process and erode trust in the electoral system," the FBI said in a statement.

From Salon

“The goal of this lawsuit is to stop the unfair and illegal conduct, to address the marketing practices that deceive consumers, and to force these businesses to change their practices to reduce the plastic pollution problem in the County and in California,” said Harrison in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• be dishonest
• betray
• cheat
• circumvent
• defraud
• delude
• disappoint
• dupe
• entrap
• falsify
• fool
• hoodwink
• mislead
• swindle
• trick
• victimize