deceive

[dih-seev] / dɪˈsiv /

VERB

mislead; be dishonest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

bamboozle beat beguile bilk buffalo burn clip con cozen ensnare fake fleece gouge gull hoax hook humbug outwit rob scam screw sell skin

WEAK

beat out of cross up double-cross impose upon lead on play joke on pull fast one put on put up a smokescreen suck in take advantage of take for take for ride take in take to cleaners

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist help protect support

STRONG

be honest give let go offer release

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.

We should say instead that lying is a matter of speaking with the intent to deceive.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

Virtually every AI super-brain created has been shown to lie, deceive, and in general behave in disturbing and unethical ways when put in the right conditions.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“This echo chamber was used to deceive you.”

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

It is worse than hypocrisy, because they seek to deceive not only others but themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

“How can we be sure she does not deceive you?”

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Vocabulary lists containing deceive

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Franklin D. Roosevelt, "A Date That Will Live In Infamy" (1941)

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