delude

[ dih-lood ]

verb (used with object)

, de·lud·ed, de·lud·ing.

1. to mislead the mind or judgment of; deceive:

   His conceit deluded him into believing he was important.

   Synonyms: gull, defraud, cheat, dupe, cozen, beguile

2. Obsolete. to mock or frustrate the hopes or aims of.
3. Obsolete. to elude; evade.

delude

/ dɪˈluːd /

verb

1. to deceive the mind or judgment of; mislead; beguile
2. rare.
   to frustrate (hopes, expectations, etc)

Derived Forms

• deˈludingly, adverb
• deˈluder, noun
• deˈludable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·lud·er noun
• de·lud·ing·ly adverb
• non·de·lud·ing adjective
• un·de·lud·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delude¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English deluden, from Latin dēlūdere “to play false,” equivalent to dē- de- + lūdere “to play”

Word History and Origins

Origin of delude¹

C15: from Latin dēlūdere to mock, play false, from de- + lūdere to play

Example Sentences

Let's not delude ourselves, we're looking at human extinction, the death of eight billion people, and there's no way that people will be able to survive in anything like an increase of 5º centigrade.

From Salon

"Let's not delude ourselves, we're looking at human extinction, the death of eight billion people."

From Salon

It seems more likely that industry insiders, who for decades have used bogus certifications labeling their products as "humane" to distract the public from their abuses, will use PLF as yet another means to delude the public about where their food comes from.

From Salon

Blanche is just the latest person to delude himself this way.

From Salon

Alas, getting elected president allowed Trump to finally swaddle himself in the pomp that allows him to successfully delude himself into believing he has an air of dignified stature.

From Salon

Related Words

• dupe
• hoodwink
• misguide
• mislead