deceives

VERB

mislead; be dishonest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

betray cheat circumvent defraud delude disappoint dupe entrap falsify fool hoodwink 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 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.

The European Commission said by allowing people to pay for a blue verified check mark on their profile, the platform "deceives users" because the firm is not "meaningfully verifying" who is behind the account.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

In the second complaint, the state argued that the app deceives consumers into believing their sensitive and personal information is secure.

From Washington Times • Nov. 29, 2023

In other words, a free press protects our access to the truth when the government deceives us.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2023

More than once in this volume we see an ailing dog put to sleep as a human owner deceives, or reassures, him: “Good boy.”

From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2022

Anyone who believes that new benefits make men of high station forget old injuries deceives himself.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli