Definitions

deceitful

[dih-seet-fuhl] / dɪˈsit fəl /

ADJECTIVE

dishonest, insincere

Synonyms

STRONGEST

artful deceptive disingenuous duplicitous false fraudulent hypocritical misleading underhanded untrustworthy untruthful

WEAK

astucious astute beguiling clandestine counterfeit crafty cunning deceiving delusive delusory designing double-dealing fallacious feline foxy furtive guileful illusory impostrous indirect insidious knavish lying mendacious rascal roguish shifty slick sly sneaky stealthy subtle treacherous tricky two-faced underhand wily

Antonyms

STRONGEST

actual authentic forthright frank genuine honest ingenuous just naive open real reliable sincere truthful upright valid

WEAK

faithful loyal trustworthy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In parliament ahead of the vote, Bolojan defended his push for reforms, slamming the motion as "deceitful, cynical, and contrived."

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

And it’s gone along on the same trajectory with deceitful disclosures.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

He defined the domestic cat, for instance, as “a deceitful animal, and when enraged, extremely spiteful.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

"I just want people to be accountable, and I don't want them getting away with being deceitful and dishonest," he adds.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2025

Until that moment, she had not said a word, but when she began to answer questions, she spoke in the same deceitful voice she had used to con caseworkers.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Vocabulary lists containing deceitful

Power Suffix: -ful

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Fake It 'Til You Make It: Synonyms for "False"

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Negative Words to Describe a Person

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