deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv 
: tending or having power to cause someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid : tending or having power to deceive
a deceptive appearance
a pitcher with a deceptive windup
deceptively
adverb
deceptiveness
noun
Examples of deceptive in a Sentence
in his deceptive answer about the vehicle's history, the salesman said that the used car had never been hit by another car
a mail-order firm indicted for deceptive business practices
Recent Examples on the Web
The suit alleges the group, known widely as WPATH, made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and its members profited off the claims.
—
Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Amendment 3 is loaded with misleading and deceptive language, like a scam artist’s promise to triple your money overnight.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
The suit alleges the group, known widely as WPATH, made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and that its members profited off the claims.
—ABC News, 17 June 2026
Harvey is a modern-day, smooth-skating defender, an offensive threat in all situations and has the deceptive ability to change shooting lanes quickly.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
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Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Amendment 3 is loaded with misleading and deceptive language, like a scam artist’s promise to triple your money overnight.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
The suit alleges the group, known widely as WPATH, made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and that its members profited off the claims.
—ABC News, 17 June 2026
Harvey is a modern-day, smooth-skating defender, an offensive threat in all situations and has the deceptive ability to change shooting lanes quickly.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
Cite this Entry
“Deceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deceptive. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv
: tending or having power to deceive : misleading
a deceptive appearance
deceptively
adverb
deceptiveness
noun
Legal Definition
deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv
: tending or having capacity to deceive
deceptive trade practices
compare fraudulent, misleading
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