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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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 deceitful Some are even using AI for things that feel small but can still be deceitful. Essence, 14 Feb. 2025 Americans need to work harder to peer through all his deceitful haze. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 Viewing them through the proxy of Joe, McGahern refuses to romanticize these characters, who are often admirable but also, by turns, nosy, deceitful, aggressive, and ridiculous. Sam Sacks, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 The governor needs to stop being deceitful with the people’s money and prioritize services that impact everyday Californians’ lives. Alexandra MacEdo, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deceitful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceitful
Adjective
  • This minimizes the risk of landing on a fraudulent page designed to mimic a legitimate website.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • If the auditor comes to believe that the taxpayer engaged in fraudulent behavior, the auditor must stop the audit and refer the matter to Criminal Investigation (CI).
    Bruce Brumberg, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, when adjusted for inflation, real prices in Turkey have dropped by 10.4 percent, illustrating how price growth can be deceptive without factoring in inflation.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Had these assessments been conducted, issues like algorithmic bias, content manipulation and deceptive AI practices would have been flagged before litigators intervened.
    Patrick Sullivan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • All Republicans in the General Assembly are lame ducks and Shoemaker is being dishonest in his criticism of me for not towing the party’s strategy of failure.
    Christopher Eric Bouchat, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Their termination e-mails were short, impersonal, and, in many cases, dishonest.
    E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In the case against Allied Van Lines Moving and Storage, the larger Allied Van Lines Inc. accused the defendant of trademark infringement, false descriptions, federal trademark dilution, cybersquatting, injury to its business reputation and dilution, and misappropriation and unfair competition.
    Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Nothing progressive or compassionate about continuing that false hope which attracts people to make those journeys.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deceitful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceitful. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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