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Definitions

duplicity

[doo-plis-i-tee, dyoo-] / duˈplɪs ɪ ti, dyu- /
NOUN
deception
Synonyms
STRONGEST
artifice chicanery deceit dishonesty falsehood hypocrisy
STRONG
cunning dissimulation double-dealing dualism duality faithlessness fraud guile one-upmanship perfidiousness perfidy skullduggery treachery
WEAK
Judas kiss dirty dealing dirty pool dirty trick dirty work dissemblance stab in back treacherousness two-facedness twoness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forthrightness frankness honesty openness sincerity truth truthfulness
STRONG
constancy faithfulness loyalty
WEAK
trustworthiness

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 the resulting civil war, he showed a characteristic combination of ruthlessness, duplicity and skill.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

In itself, this duplicity won’t get in the way of Erika Kirk’s rise.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2025

For many onlookers, this seeming contradiction - of asking for aid with one hand while conducting military strikes with the other - chimes with Min Aung Hlaing's history of duplicity.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2025

Finally, in August, Peters’ duplicity caught up with her.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2024

Through some complex combination of duplicity and disposition, Jefferson had come to embody the will to believe.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.