deception

noun de·cep·tion \ di-ˈsep-shən \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of deception

1 a : the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid : the act of deceiving

resorting to falsehood and deception

used deception to leak the classified information

b : the fact or condition of being deceived

the deception of his audience

2 : something that deceives : trick

fooled by a scam artist's clever deception

—

deceptional

play \-shə-nəl\ adjective

See deception defined for English-language learners

See deception defined for kids

Examples of deception in a Sentence

She accuses the company of willful deception in its advertising.
His many deceptions did not become known until years after he died.

Recent Examples of deception from the Web

For added deception, the Arizona State recruit mixed in a change-up.

— pat disabato, Daily Southtown, "Arizona State recruit Bryce Barnett brings 'nasty stuff' as Providence slips past Marian Catholic," 14 Apr. 2018
On the other hand, in contrast to gratitude, when the other side expresses anger, the study suggests that punishment and deception are used as retribution.

— neil senturia, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Why showing gratitude during negotiations is not a weakness," 9 Apr. 2018
Rayam has since admitted to years of stealing and deception.

— justin fenton, baltimoresun.com, "More Baltimore Police Gun Trace Task Force convictions overturned, including man who maintained his innocence," 6 Apr. 2018
For more than 150 years, this act of deception has been remembered by the Tsilhqot’in people as a deeply painful chapter of their history.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "More than 150 Years Later, Canada Exonerates Six Indigenous Chiefs Hanged in 1864," 3 Apr. 2018
But the financial consequences of her deceptions were in another league.

— james b. stewart, New York Times, "Shkreli vs. Holmes: 2 Frauds, 2 Divergent Outcomes. Were They Fair?," 22 Mar. 2018
At tribal council, Michael whipped out his idol during Jeff Probst's questions, adding a bit of deception stating that the idol would be good for protecting two people (not true!).

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Who was voted off 'Survivor' this week? Did Mason woman advance?," 14 Mar. 2018
This whole idea of deception is rooted in thinking that women are here to satisfy men.

— zahra barnes, SELF, "You Don’t Need a Uterus to Be a Woman," 8 Mar. 2018
Once the deception is revealed and the girlfriends’ weakness is chalked up to female DNA, Ferrando and Guglielmo give them decorous pecks on the cheek before marching off to another sort of battlefield.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Lyric revival of Mozart's romantic comedy 'Cosi Fan Tutte' touches the heart," 18 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deception.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of deception

Middle English decepcioun, from Anglo-French deception, from Late Latin deception-, deceptio, from Latin decipere to deceive

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

deception Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of deception

deception, fraud, double-dealing, subterfuge, trickery 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

fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

- indicted for fraud

double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

- a go-between suspected of double-dealing

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

trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

- resorted to trickery to gain their ends

DECEPTION Defined for English Language Learners

deception

noun

Definition of deception for English Language Learners

: the act of making someone believe something that is not true : the act of deceiving someone
: an act or statement intended to make people believe something that is not true