Definitions

deceptive

[dih-sep-tiv] / dɪˈsɛp tɪv /

ADJECTIVE

dishonest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous deceitful disingenuous false fraudulent misleading slick sneaky subtle tricky underhanded unreliable

WEAK

astucious beguiling bum catchy crafty cunning deceiving deluding delusive delusory designing fake fallacious fishy foxy illusory imposturous indirect insidious lying mock oblique off phony plausible rascal roguish scheming seeming serpentine shifty slippery sly snide specious spurious treacherous two-faced underhand wily

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aboveboard forthright frank genuine honest open real reliable sincere true trustworthy truthful valid

WEAK

upright

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.

She wrote that Hsiao’s assertions to the court were “at best, deceptive, if not intentionally and knowingly false.”

From Slate • May 18, 2026

But as the poll notes, the latter number is deceptive.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

“While JetBlue is now claiming the post was an ‘error,’ their only mistake was pulling back the curtain on their own deceptive pricing practices.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

“This use of ‘gold standard science’ is deceptive.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

It's a small step, nothing more, yet its rewards are intoxicating and deceptive.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Vocabulary lists containing deceptive

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

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 2

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Red Kayak

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