deceit

noun

di-ˈsēt How to pronounce deceit (audio)
Definition of deceitnext
1
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery a rise to power that was marked by treachery and deceit

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2
as in deceitfulness
the tendency to tell lies she's completely free of deceit

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deceit There was money, manipulation, secret meetings with shady characters in China, fake identities, lies, trickery, and deceit. — Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026 Its Emmy success, and Rhys’s record-setting win along with it, is built on a foundation of deceit. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Each season, The Traitors brings together a group of people for a game of deceit, separating the cast into faithfuls and traitors who must try to figure out who is who. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026 The state alleges OpenAI's rapid success stems from deceit and exploitation, causing widespread harm to Floridians and subverting public order. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deceit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceit
  1. deception
  2. deceitfulness
  3. deceptiveness
  4. dishonesty
  5. fraud
  6. cheating
  7. cunning
Noun
  • But the quarterback sneak has never worked well because of its deception.
    — Sam McDowell November 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The resulting models displayed resistance to monitoring, deception, and attempts at self-preservation.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of deceitfulness
Noun
  • Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.
    — Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of deceptiveness
Noun
  • The practice of yama includes avoiding violence, dishonesty, theft and greed, and cultivating brahmacharya.
    — Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Set against the backdrop of political dishonesty and the country’s abandonment of ideals, the book probes questions about how to be an artist in the world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of dishonesty
Noun
  • Cárdenas played a pivotal role in Mexico's democratization, beginning with his first presidential bid in 1988, which ended in a defeat widely regarded as the result of widespread electoral fraud.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • With first-party fraud and friendly disputes eroding already thin retail margins, managing chargebacks requires far more than basic operational recovery.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of fraud
Noun
  • In contrast to the president's rhetoric about election cheating, voting unfolded with relatively few problems.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In contrast to the president’s continued rhetoric about election cheating, voting so far has unfolded with relatively few problems.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of cheating
Noun
  • At least all of that exhibited a malign cunning, a kind of instrumental rationality.
    — Andrew Koppelman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Lethally charming and a natural chameleon, Conal uses social cunning and ruthlessness to get the job done and always gets a thrill out of completing a mission.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of cunning

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decedents
deceit
deceitful
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Cite this Entry

“Deceit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceit. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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