deceptive

adjective

de·​cep·​tive di-ˈsep-tiv 

: 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

deceptively adverb

deceptiveness noun

Synonyms of deceptive

• misleading
• false

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 complaints allow the public to report unfair or deceptive business practices, according to the agency’s website, and can prompt investigations from the office. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025

Even for as great a story as Emmitt Finnie has been, there’s still a difference between having a 20-year-old rookie in that spot on the right flank compared with one of the most creative, deceptive forwards in the league. —Max Bultman, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

Think scammers, con artists and deceptive individuals who operate in plain sight. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025

In New Jersey, creating or sharing deceptive AI media can lead to prison time and fines. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see deception

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing deceptive

• looks can be deceiving/deceptive

Rhymes for deceptive

• perceptive
• receptive
• contraceptive
• nociceptive
• proprioceptive

Kids Definition

deceptive

adjective

de·​cep·​tive di-ˈsep-tiv 

: tending or having power to deceive : misleading

a deceptive appearance

deceptively adverb

deceptiveness noun

Legal Definition

deceptive

adjective

de·​cep·​tive di-ˈsep-tiv 

: tending or having capacity to deceive

deceptive trade practices

compare fraudulent, misleading