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deception
/ dɪˈsɛpʃən /
noun
- the act of deceiving or the state of being deceived
- something that deceives; trick
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Other Words From
- nonde·ception noun
- prede·ception noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of deception1
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Example Sentences
Online deception is now a multimillion-dollar global industry, and the emerging economy of misinformation is growing quickly.
The postponement follows the startup’s efforts to pivot from denying allegations of deception to talking up its technology and partnerships to calm investors who have seen the stock price plunge by almost 50% since the company went public in June.
Especially when there’s deception and mislabeling going into the buys in the first place.
Niccolò Machiavelli, perhaps the most famous political thinker, endorsed using any strategies available—including cooperation, corruption, and deception—to gain status and maintain political control.
It’s common for telemarketers to disguise themselves in order to trick people to picking up, but the deception takes on another level of seriousness when an election is at stake.
He refused to be drawn on whether the authors might be guilty of a deliberately deception.
She is against the patriarchy, especially when personified in villainous ogres like the Duke of Deception.
They see collusion and deception and they say Ankara is determined to subjugate them.
I felt like that was one of the first moments you ever see Alicia caught in an act of deception.
I loved the volatility to his reaction and the deception, and then her walking away with the security guards to the elevator.
Deception does not suit the part of a protector, and, when one can do anything without question, where is the use of deception?
With the shrewd cleverness that scarcely ever deserted her, she had forced her temper into the service of deception.
In all kinds of deception the Chinese are great adepts, and decidedly more than a match for any Europeans.
It seemed to him as if no punishment or penance could atone for such deception and for so great a crime.
Deception, so hateful to her truthful soul, she was compelled to carry on even against her trusting husband.
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Related Words
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More About Deception
What does deception mean?
Deception is the act or practice of deceiving—lying, misleading, or otherwise hiding or distorting the truth. The related word deceit often means the same thing.
Deception doesn’t just involve lying. It can consist of misrepresenting or omitting the truth or more complicated cover-ups. Anything that involves intentionally misleading someone is deception. People can even engage in self-deception by avoiding the truth.
The word deception often implies a pattern of behavior, rather than a one-time act. The adjective deceptive can describe something that deceives or is intended to deceive. A person who engages in deception can be described as deceitful.
Less commonly, the word deception can refer to an action, scheme, or trick intended to deceive, as in It was a clever deception, but I didn’t fall for it.
Example: I’m sick of your constant lying and deception—I can’t trust anything you say!
Where does deception come from?
The first records of the word deception come from the 1400s. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb dēcipere, meaning “to ensnare” (in the literal sense of trapping someone or an animal).
Forms of deception include attempts to mislead or trick someone or trap them with a deceptive scheme. Deception always involves deceiving someone, but it may not involve outright lying. Some forms of deception involve concealing the truth or simply omitting the truth. Just because you didn’t lie doesn’t mean you didn’t engage in deception.
Did you know ... ?
What are some synonyms for deception?
- deceit
- deceptiveness
- duplicity
- dishonesty
- ruse
- trick
What are some words that share a root or word element with deception?
What are some words that often get used in discussing deception?
How is deception used in real life?
Deception and deceit are often used to mean the same thing, but deception is perhaps more commonly used because it’s slightly less formal. Both words can be used in all kinds of contexts, though of course they are common in political discussion.
Many interesting things to draw from this reporting, but one simple one is a reminder that as problematic as #deepfakes can be, deception campaigns rarely rely on sophisticated tech — classic tactics like this work just fine. We all have a part to play in tackling influence ops. https://t.co/LP9zhyHP47
— Nathaniel Gleicher (@ngleicher) August 10, 2020
Even the most sophisticated #AI systems lack a theory of mind needed to engage in deception. However, now's the time to start thinking about how future AIs could deceive us. https://t.co/MALs6SCQCb
— Ben Lamm (@federallamm) March 2, 2020
There are two types of investors: Those who are honest about how social proof affects decision-making, and those who engage in deception / self-deception to imply they're uninfluenced by the POV of other smart investors
"I really don't care if Sequoia is leading the round…" 🤔
— Ben Casnocha (@bencasnocha) October 5, 2019
Try using deception!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of deception?
A. duplicity
B. deceit
C. description
D. dishonesty
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