deception

noun

de·​cep·​tion di-ˈsep-shən 

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

di-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• deceit
• deceptiveness
• fraud
• cheating
• deceitfulness
• cunning

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

This deception couldn’t come at a worse time for America’s debt. —Thomas Kahn, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025

Unlike earlier studies that uncovered evasion or deception, this research exposed a more alarming phenomenon: models calculating that unethical behavior was a justifiable strategy for survival. —Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

Exposing Iran’s obfuscation and deception is necessary to explain to other actors abroad why military force had to be used after decades of diplomacy. —Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025

Washington used deception tactics and a host of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft traveling ahead of B-2 bombers to sweep for Iranian fighter jets and air defenses, Caine said. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing deception

• practice deception on
• self-deception

Rhymes for deception

• conception
• exception
• inception
• perception
• reception
• apperception
• contraception
• interception
• misconception
• misperception
• preconception
• intussusception

Kids Definition

deception

noun

de·​cep·​tion di-ˈsep-shən 

1

a

: the act of deceiving

b

: the fact or condition of being deceived

2

: something that deceives : trick

Legal Definition

deception

noun

de·​cep·​tion di-ˈsep-shən 

1

: an act of deceiving

2

: something that deceives : deceit