deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv 
: tending or having power to cause someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid : tending or having power to deceive
a deceptive appearance
a pitcher with a deceptive windup
deceptively
adverb
deceptiveness
noun
Examples of deceptive in a Sentence
in his deceptive answer about the vehicle's history, the salesman said that the used car had never been hit by another car
a mail-order firm indicted for deceptive business practices
Recent Examples on the Web
California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, filed a suit against ExxonMobil last year that, in part, accuses the oil giant of deceptive claims regarding chemical recycling, which the company disputes.
—
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
During the defense’s cross-examination of Kid Cudi, lawyers representing Combs portrayed Ventura as deceptive of both men.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
2) Avoid installing apps from untrusted sources: One of the key ways malware like SuperCard X spreads is through deceptive apps that victims are persuaded to install.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025
Director Sean Byrne has a blast playing around with Tucker’s deceptive good nature, using quick cuts to up the tension.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
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Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
During the defense’s cross-examination of Kid Cudi, lawyers representing Combs portrayed Ventura as deceptive of both men.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
2) Avoid installing apps from untrusted sources: One of the key ways malware like SuperCard X spreads is through deceptive apps that victims are persuaded to install.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025
Director Sean Byrne has a blast playing around with Tucker’s deceptive good nature, using quick cuts to up the tension.
—Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
Cite this Entry
“Deceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deceptive. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv
: tending or having power to deceive : misleading
a deceptive appearance
deceptively
adverb
deceptiveness
noun
Legal Definition
deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv
: tending or having capacity to deceive
deceptive trade practices
compare fraudulent, misleading
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