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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 In my view, to tell the story of America’s founding without referencing these profound scars is akin to deceit, if not complicity. — Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 Homer may have viewed Odysseus’s deceit and pillaging as glorious. — Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026 Had those industries spoken plainly about the dangers of their products, their motives would rightly have been scrutinized—but the candor itself would have been preferable to years of deceit. — Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026 The one where a man, his mother, and his entire army are slaughtered by deceit? — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 July 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
  • There appears to be no indication the scammer or scammers behind this web of deception are anywhere close to slowing down.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But Richard Adams Locke, who wrote the series, later claimed that deception wasn’t his goal.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 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
  • This cycle has been marked by allegations of dishonesty, a defamation lawsuit, and some undisclosed legal trouble from decades past.
    — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The new project on my hard drive focuses not on songs or symphonies but on cruelty, injustice, dishonesty, and the politics of everyday language.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of dishonesty
Noun
  • The State Bar also provides consumer information about avoiding legal fraud, including the unauthorized practice of law, and tips about avoiding immigration legal services fraud.
    — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • They are further accused of common law fraud and equitable fraud.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of fraud
Noun
  • Parents, educators and child development experts have been sounding alarms over children's use of AI chatbots, which have been blamed for facilitating cheating on schoolwork and even suicide.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • This has already resulted in rogue AI agents hacking, cheating, and even creating new viruses.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheating
Noun
  • Rhaenyra also dismisses Mysaria, a wise move carried out in a very unwise manner, given the woman’s cunning.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nolan foregrounds the nobility that guides the character (his guilt, his dedication to his men, his yearning for his family) and neglects his wily cunning and egotism.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 July 2026
Definition of cunning

Browse Nearby Words

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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of deceit for Spanish Speakers

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