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

But this is a site that’s been fined for deceptive pricing and is not beloved by those who use it, with low customer net-promoter scores. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 July 2026

Many companies engage in a deceptive hiring practice, posting jobs for positions where the candidate has already been selected, often internally. — Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

At 6ft 3in (190cm) with unconventional movement mechanics, he is likened to Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike for his deceptive play. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Massachusetts is acting to protect our fans by capping resale at 110%, banning speculative tickets and cracking down on deceptive websites. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

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