double-dealing

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