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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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 deception Signal-callers on both sides play cat-and-mouse with audibles and adjustments, deceptions flying back and forth. —

Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2025 Though some of the climate deception suits have been successfully fought by the defendants, not all have been. —

Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2025 After a season of treachery and deception, the winner or winners of The Traitors UK Season 3 have been revealed. —

Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025 The series was loosely inspired by the non-fiction book The Woman Who Fooled the World, written by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, the two journalists who uncovered the details of Gibson’s deception. —

Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for deception

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deception

Noun

Yet the findings of science challenged this way of thinking, and Kingsley grew increasingly uneasy with the deceit and parasitism science uncovered in the natural world.

— Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 29 Jan. 2025
These, puppet masters could win an Emmy Award through deceit and coercion to further their own goals at the expense of others.

— Jason Walker, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025