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
Stricter consumer protection laws worldwide mean businesses face mounting scrutiny and potential legal repercussions for deceptive claims.
—
Anjali Chaudhry, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Issues concerning the scheme arise when the business utilizing it sells the data of consumers without proper consent or for deceptive purposes, as this could violate laws, the company said.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
In October, Schiff, who built her reputation as an expert in blue-chip contemporary art, admitted to defrauding clients of at least $6.4 million through a series of deceptive transactions that prosecutors have likened to a Ponzi scheme.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Mar. 2025
ActBlue stands accused by Republicans of illegally collecting money for Democrats during the 2024 election by using deceptive methods.
—Robert Schmad, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
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Anjali Chaudhry, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Issues concerning the scheme arise when the business utilizing it sells the data of consumers without proper consent or for deceptive purposes, as this could violate laws, the company said.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
In October, Schiff, who built her reputation as an expert in blue-chip contemporary art, admitted to defrauding clients of at least $6.4 million through a series of deceptive transactions that prosecutors have likened to a Ponzi scheme.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Mar. 2025
ActBlue stands accused by Republicans of illegally collecting money for Democrats during the 2024 election by using deceptive methods.
—Robert Schmad, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 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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