deceptive

adjective

de·cep·tive | \ di-ˈsep-tiv

Definition of deceptive

: 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

Other Words from deceptive Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About deceptive

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 report accuses the companies of deceptive practices designed to trick targets into providing information. — Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 16 Dec. 2021 Previous wrongful death lawsuits against gunmakers had failed, but the Sandy Hook families argued that Remington advertised the product as a combat weapon, in violation of a Connecticut law that prevents deceptive marketing practices. — Bryan Anselm/redux For Cnn, CNN, 14 Dec. 2021 Kinston Charter Academy and leaders were accused by Cooper’s office of violating the state’s False Claims Act and deceptive trade laws. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2021 If an ad is mislabeled or appears to the common eye not to be sponsored, that would be considered deceptive. — Jennifer Korn, CNN, 9 Dec. 2021 Matisse’s touch and his orchestration of complex color harmonies in these deceptive pictures are riveting. — Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2021 The edits and visuals in this section of the ad were thoroughly deceptive -- twisting McCrory's comments beyond recognition. — Daniel Dale, CNN, 12 Dec. 2021 Keller declined to comment on whether the activities of the groups to which AmazonSmile is sending money is deceptive or misleading. — Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2021 What to my mind is a deceptive practice is passing along business costs in a manner that hides them from customers until the point of sale, when many people are already committed to the transaction. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2021

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