Synonyms of deceive

deceive

verb

di-ˈsēv 

as in to fool

to cause to believe what is untrue

he went to great lengths to deceive his family about the nature of his new job at the mall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fool
• trick
• mislead
• delude
• tease
• misinform
• misguide
• beguile
• hoodwink
• dupe
• bamboozle
• kid
• cheat
• sucker
• bluff
• hoax
• suck in
• sting
• cozen
• catch
• humbug
• hornswoggle
• con
• gull
• juggle
• burn
• spoof
• take in
• have
• have on
• snooker
• snow
• gaff
• buffalo
• fake out
• gammon
• string along
• defraud
• pull one's leg
• do a number on
• lead one down the garden path
• pull the wool over one's eyes
• swindle
• shortchange
• stick
• put on
• bleed
• fleece
• mulct
• flimflam
• diddle
• skin
• hustle
• chisel
• squeeze
• rook
• euchre

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undeceive
• reveal
• expose
• uncover
• show up
• unmask
• disclose
• tell
• debunk
• divulge
• unveil
• disabuse
• uncloak
• disillusion
• disenchant

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deceive

Svetlana Petriychuk wrote the play Finist, the Brave Falcon, based on real events, about Russian women deceived into marrying ISIS fighters and traveling to Syria. —Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026

But such is the startling sophistication of artificial intelligence, and the reckless abandon with which it is deployed to deceive online, cynicism seems a healthy side-dish to many viral moments. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026

Veteran Vietnam correspondent Neil Sheehan broke the story of the Pentagon Papers, which showed how government officials deceived the public about the Vietnam war. —Kathy Kiely, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026

Kent, a promoter of far-right conspiracy theories whom the Senate narrowly confirmed for the director role last July, accused the president of being deceived by Israel into supporting the war. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026