deceive

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deceive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deceive are beguile, delude, and mislead. While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.

tried to deceive me about the cost

In what contexts can beguile take the place of deceive?

Although the words beguile and deceive have much in common, beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.

was beguiled by false promises

When is delude a more appropriate choice than deceive?

While the synonyms delude and deceive are close in meaning, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.

we were deluded into thinking we were safe

When is it sensible to use mislead instead of deceive?

The words mislead and deceive can be used in similar contexts, but mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.

I was misled by the confusing sign

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deceive The indictment alleges that Adani and his associates deceived investors by concealing the bribery scheme. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 For years, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance didn’t fine any company for ghost networks, so the state attorney general’s office began to investigate whether insurers had deceived consumers by publishing inaccurate directories. Max Blau, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2024 For his part, Higginbotham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deceive U.S. banks about millions of dollars in foreign lobbying funds and was sentenced to three months’ probation. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024 Nearly seven in 10 people were deceived into buying counterfeit products online at least once, according to research from Michigan State University in 2023. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deceive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceive
Verb
  • That rough rollout inspired immediate push-back and criticism from activists, some of which attached traffic cones to the hoods of cars to fool Cruise sensors and immobilize them.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Don't be fooled into thinking a nice hotel is less likely to have bedbugs.
    Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • This is critical, as 2G networks are far less secure than 3G and especially LTE and 5G. Simple network attack devices, which trick phones into jumping from real networks to local, fraudulent ones, try to make a 2G connection with lower encryption levels.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
  • To trick the German forces into believing that a much larger American force was stationed in various locations, diverting attention away from the real operations and damaging enemy morale.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • And unlike in cases where people have misled law enforcement about their disappearance, police likely won't investigate Kobayashi further, Jeanis said.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Consumers should watch out for scams and misleading marketing of ACA health insurance.
    Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near deceive

Cite this Entry

“Deceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceive. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on deceive

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