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 of deception

• 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

Claims of fraud require proof of deliberate deception, and strategic silence is not the same as a lie. —Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026

The point is to get away from lazy (but practical) System 1 thinking and apply your brain’s full power to seeing through any fraud or deception. —Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026

As with Lavrov, Taras’ journey out was perilous, involving some deception and a huge amount of courage. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026

So, while Massachusetts was accusing Exxon of climate deception, the state was also fighting a records request that exposed its own failure to comply with one of its own climate rules. —Paul Diego Craney, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

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