Synonyms of deceitful

deceitful

adjective

di-ˈsēt-fəl 

1

as in fraudulent

marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value

charged the store owner with such deceitful practices as inflating the list prices for items only so he could put them on sale at drastically reduced prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fraudulent
• dishonest
• deceptive
• false
• misleading
• crooked
• duplicitous
• double-dealing
• defrauding
• delusive
• specious
• deceiving
• fallacious
• beguiling
• delusory
• deluding
• spurious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truthful
• honest
• true
• legitimate
• valid
• aboveboard

2

as in deceptive

tending or having power to deceive

the deceitful salesman neglected to mention some important information about the used car

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deceptive
• misleading
• false
• delusive
• incorrect
• ambiguous
• specious
• deceiving
• fallacious
• beguiling
• fraudulent
• inaccurate
• delusory
• crooked
• cunning
• dishonest
• subtle
• deluding
• treacherous
• wily
• duplicitous
• underhanded
• devious
• crafty
• untrustworthy
• sneaky
• mendacious
• lying
• trick
• artful
• slick
• shifty
• sly
• perplexing
• shady
• untruthful
• puzzling
• underhand
• faithless
• wrong
• tricky
• subtile
• artificial
• foxy
• insidious
• perfidious
• counterfeit
• confounding
• guileful
• distracting
• evasive
• hypocritical
• forged
• fake
• phoney
• bewildering
• knavish
• insincere
• bogus
• phony
• spurious
• sham
• trickish
• dissembling
• ambidextrous
• feigned
• circuitous
• equivocal
• double-dealing
• defrauding
• fast
• jive
• sneaking
• backhanded
• two-faced
• left-handed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forthright
• straightforward
• plain
• direct
• outspoken
• frank
• open
• aboveboard
• candid
• nondeceptive
• straight
• illuminating
• explanatory
• truthful
• revealing
• trustworthy
• plainspoken
• openhearted
• honest
• free-spoken
• revelatory
• clarifying
• foursquare
• elucidative

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective deceitful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deceitful are dishonest, mendacious, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When would dishonest be a good substitute for deceitful?

In some situations, the words dishonest and deceitful are roughly equivalent. However, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

Where would mendacious be a reasonable alternative to deceitful?

The meanings of mendacious and deceitful largely overlap; however, mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

When might untruthful be a better fit than deceitful?

While the synonyms untruthful and deceitful are close in meaning, untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deceitful

Competition supersedes cooperation, doing so in rather deceitful ways. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Evolving Digital Fraud Scams are an age-old phenomenon, where deceitful individuals attempt to manipulate others into handing over their money or private information for malicious purposes. —Ranjita Iyer, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Although many online gambling venues have terms of service that bar underage use, some teens use deceitful methods to sidestep state law. —Adam Hudacek, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025

This discrepancy doesn’t necessarily mean that companies are being deceitful. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025