deceive

[dih-seev]

verb (used with object)

deceived, deceiving 

1. to mislead by a false appearance or statement; delude.

   They deceived the enemy by disguising the destroyer as a freighter.

   Synonyms: fool, dupe, cozen, betray, ensnare, entrap, outwit, defraud, trick, hoodwink, gull

2. to be unfaithful to (one's spouse or lover).

3. Archaic.,  to while away (time).

verb (used without object)

deceived, deceiving 

1. to mislead or falsely persuade others; practice deceit.

   an engaging manner that easily deceives.

deceive

/ dɪˈsiːv /

verb

1. to mislead by deliberate misrepresentation or lies

2. to delude (oneself)

3. to be unfaithful to (one's sexual partner)

4. archaic,  to disappoint

   his hopes were deceived

Other Word Forms

• deceivingly adverb
• deceiver noun
• deceiving noun
• deceivableness noun
• deceivable adjective
• deceivably adverb
• deceivability noun
• interdeceive verb
• nondeceiving adjective
• predeceive verb (used with object)
• redeceive verb (used with object)
• well-deceived adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deceive¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English deceiven, from Old French deceivre, from Latin dēcipere, literally, “to ensnare,” equivalent to dē- de- + -cipere, combining form of capere “to take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of deceive¹

C13: from Old French deceivre, from Latin dēcipere to ensnare, cheat, from capere to take

Synonym Study

See cheat.

Example Sentences

They are only a sticking point for would-be kings and despots who successfully deceive and subjugate the masses.

From Salon

Bio Care's owner was initially charged with fraud, but the charge was later withdrawn because prosecutors could not prove an intent to deceive.

From BBC

Other advice given by some creators include tips on how to deceive audiences, by having their page impersonate other entities to build audiences and become eligible for Meta's CM program.

From BBC

"Perhaps this was all intended to deceive and flatter Putin, and push him into following the White House's strategy," Kovalenko said.

From BBC

But appearances can be deceiving: in fact, this pit is home to a million tonne stockpile containing critical minerals, and Australia's bet on the future.

From BBC

Related Words

• be dishonest www.thesaurus.com
• betray 
• cheat 
• circumvent 
• defraud 
• delude 
• disappoint 
• dupe 
• entrap 
• falsify 
• fool 
• hoodwink 
• mislead 
• swindle 
• trick 
• victimize 

When To Use

What does deceive mean?

Deceive means to lie, mislead, or otherwise hide or distort the truth.The act or practice of deceiving can be called deceit or deception.Lying is only one way of deceiving. Deceiving can consist of misrepresenting or omitting the truth or more complicated cover-ups. People can even deceive themselves by avoiding the truth.The adjectives deceptive and deceitful can describe something that deceives or is intended to deceive. Someone who is known for deceiving others can be described as deceitful. Someone who is easily deceived can be described as deceivable.Sometimes, the word deceive can be used in the context of things that are naturally or innocently misleading to one’s perception (without someone doing the deceiving), as in Do my eyes deceive me? The adjective deceiving can be used in this sense, as in Looks can be deceiving.Example: A lot of advertising is intended to deceive us into thinking we need something.