DECEPTION Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'deception' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deception are double-dealing , fraud , subterfuge , and trickery . While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource. // magicians are masters of deception

Q: Where would 'double-dealing' be a reasonable alternative to 'deception'?

In some situations, the words double-dealing and deception are roughly equivalent. However, double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude. // a go-between suspected of double-dealing

Q: When would 'fraud' be a good substitute for 'deception'?

While in some cases nearly identical to deception , fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice. // indicted for fraud

Q: When can 'subterfuge' be used instead of 'deception'?

Although the words subterfuge and deception have much in common, subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end. // obtained the papers by subterfuge

Q: In what contexts can 'trickery' take the place of 'deception'?

The words trickery and deception are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat. // resorted to trickery to gain their ends

deception

noun

di-ˈsep-shən

Definition of deception next

as in deceit

the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery a telemarketing company with a reputation for deception

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How does the noun deception differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deception are double-dealing, fraud, subterfuge, and trickery. While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

Where would double-dealing be a reasonable alternative to deception?

In some situations, the words double-dealing and deception are roughly equivalent. However, double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

When would fraud be a good substitute for deception?

While in some cases nearly identical to deception, fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

When can subterfuge be used instead of deception?

Although the words subterfuge and deception have much in common, subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.

obtained the papers by subterfuge

In what contexts can trickery take the place of deception?

The words trickery and deception are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

Examples of deception in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web The university fired Johnson in 2020 after he was arrested on charges of child seduction, kidnapping and identity deception. —

Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Oct. 2024 The film’s director, Jason Reitman, maintains this deception by whizzing his camera in and out of dressing rooms, hallways, soundstages, the streets outside New York City’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza – just about everywhere. —

Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2024 Players Charley and Amarjit are collaborators in life but adversaries in this game of corporate deception, designed to lead the farmer to dispossession. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024 California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing ExxonMobil over accusations of deception. —

Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deception

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deception

Noun

This ongoing effort has created a web of cruelty, deceit, and corruption in which many unfortunate people are ensnared.

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024
Still, the lawsuit has exposed layers of contradictions and deceit in the Saudi government’s portrayal of Omar al-Bayoumi, a middle-aged Saudi graduate student in San Diego who was the central figure in the hijackers’ support network.

Tim Golden, ProPublica, 11 Sep. 2024