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.

However, they also agreed with Cipollone that tobacco liability cases do not get blanket federal preemption, especially if industry participates in fraud or other deceptive practices independent of a warning label.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026

Physical performance increased by 7% in the deceptive placebo group and by 9.2% in the open-label placebo group.

From Science Daily • Jun. 25, 2026

According to TikTok’s community guidelines, the platform bans accounts engaging in deceptive or manipulative activity or discrimination.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

When it put dealers on notice in March, the agency described a number of tactics that it considers deceptive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

Harrenhal was deceptive from afar, because it was so huge.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

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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