deception

noun

de·cep·tion | \ di-ˈsep-shən

Definition of deception

1a : 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

Other Words from deception Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about deception

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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 But Biden has already prompted calls of deception after his proposal outlined $1,400 checks, not $2,000, with liberals on Twitter trending the hashtag #BidenLied before it was hijacked by pictures of pets and K-pop groups. — Tyler Van Dyke, Washington Examiner, "Biden and Democrats maneuvering to check box on $2,000 checks pledge," 5 Feb. 2021 The defendant in this case allegedly used deception to sicken her spouse. — NBC News, "Woman, 70, accused of spiking husband's coffee with insect killer," 18 Jan. 2021 Over the months, the minor fib has spiraled into Mrs. Doubtfire levels of deception. — Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, "The People Who Pretend They Never Had COVID-19," 17 Jan. 2021 After Haghighi was released from federal prison in October 2016, he was deported to his native Iran — ending roughly 15 years of deception. — BostonGlobe.com, "Flight plan for Failure," 13 Jan. 2021 The film, knowingly set in Orwell’s infamous year, makes a point when Wonder Woman wields her lariat against a would-be overlord’s worldwide deception: Only unified truth will set us free. — Washington Post, "How Patty Jenkins turned ‘Wonder Woman 1984′ into a personal Washington story," 25 Dec. 2020 His fastball averages 86 mph (with deception in his side-arm delivery) and his changeup is mischievous. — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers should dig into non-tender free-agent market to add power and/or pitching," 3 Dec. 2020 Kemerly is charged with a felony offense against a computer user, forgery with intent to defraud, identity deception, a felony offense against intellectual property, felony theft of between $750 and $50,000 and one count of misdemeanor theft. — Lawrence Andrea, The Indianapolis Star, "Former Madison County financial advisor charged with theft, forgery," 6 Oct. 2020 When their teenage daughter confesses to killing her best friend, two parents attempt to cover up the crime, leading them into a web of lies and deception. — Kathleen Christiansen, orlandosentinel.com, "Fall movies: Lineup includes James Bond, Wonder Woman and more," 23 Sep. 2020

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.