Synonyms of delude

delude

verb

di-ˈlüd 

as in to deceive

to cause to believe what is untrue

we deluded ourselves into thinking that the ice cream wouldn't affect our diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deceive
• fool
• trick
• mislead
• hoodwink
• misinform
• misguide
• beguile
• tease
• bamboozle
• dupe
• cozen
• humbug
• kid
• hornswoggle
• con
• cheat
• hoax
• sucker
• suck in
• bluff
• juggle
• gull
• catch
• sting
• spoof
• buffalo
• have on
• have
• snooker
• string along
• snow
• gaff
• take in
• burn
• fake out
• gammon
• do a number on
• defraud
• pull one's leg
• lead one down the garden path
• shortchange
• pull the wool over one's eyes
• swindle
• put on
• stick
• mulct
• flimflam
• diddle
• fleece
• hustle
• bleed
• chisel
• squeeze
• skin
• rook
• euchre

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undeceive
• reveal
• expose
• show up
• uncover
• unmask
• tell
• debunk
• disclose
• divulge
• disabuse
• unveil
• disillusion
• uncloak
• disenchant

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb delude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of delude are beguile, deceive, and mislead. While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.

we were deluded into thinking we were safe

When can beguile be used instead of delude?

The meanings of beguile and delude largely overlap; however, beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.

was beguiled by false promises

When is it sensible to use deceive instead of delude?

The words deceive and delude can be used in similar contexts, but deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.

tried to deceive me about the cost

In what contexts can mislead take the place of delude?

While the synonyms mislead and delude are close in meaning, mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.

I was misled by the confusing sign

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of delude

Or deluding themselves along with him. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026

Atheists wrote that my father deluded himself. —Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025

One source of support she’s found is the Human Line Project, an AI safety group that collects data on people who have been deluded or emotionally affected by chatbots. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025

ChatGPT doesn’t have to be superintelligent to delude someone, spread misinformation, or make a biased decision. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025