Synonyms of deceitful

deceitful

adjective

di-ˈsēt-fəl 

1

as in fraudulent

marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value

charged the store owner with such deceitful practices as inflating the list prices for items only so he could put them on sale at drastically reduced prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fraudulent
• dishonest
• deceptive
• false
• misleading
• crooked
• duplicitous
• double-dealing
• defrauding
• delusive
• specious
• deceiving
• fallacious
• beguiling
• delusory
• deluding
• spurious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truthful
• honest
• true
• legitimate
• valid
• aboveboard

2

as in deceptive

tending or having power to deceive

the deceitful salesman neglected to mention some important information about the used car

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deceptive
• misleading
• false
• delusive
• incorrect
• ambiguous
• specious
• deceiving
• fallacious
• beguiling
• fraudulent
• inaccurate
• delusory
• crooked
• cunning
• dishonest
• subtle
• deluding
• treacherous
• wily
• duplicitous
• underhanded
• devious
• crafty
• untrustworthy
• sneaky
• mendacious
• lying
• trick
• artful
• shifty
• slick
• sly
• perplexing
• shady
• untruthful
• puzzling
• underhand
• faithless
• wrong
• tricky
• subtile
• artificial
• foxy
• insidious
• perfidious
• counterfeit
• confounding
• guileful
• distracting
• evasive
• hypocritical
• forged
• fake
• bewildering
• knavish
• insincere
• bogus
• phony
• spurious
• sham
• trickish
• dissembling
• ambidextrous
• feigned
• circuitous
• equivocal
• defrauding
• double-dealing
• fast
• jive
• sneaking
• backhanded
• two-faced
• left-handed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forthright
• straightforward
• plain
• direct
• outspoken
• frank
• open
• aboveboard
• candid
• nondeceptive
• straight
• illuminating
• explanatory
• truthful
• revealing
• trustworthy
• plainspoken
• openhearted
• honest
• free-spoken
• revelatory
• clarifying
• foursquare
• elucidative

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective deceitful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deceitful are dishonest, mendacious, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When would dishonest be a good substitute for deceitful?

In some situations, the words dishonest and deceitful are roughly equivalent. However, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

Where would mendacious be a reasonable alternative to deceitful?

The meanings of mendacious and deceitful largely overlap; however, mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

When might untruthful be a better fit than deceitful?

While the synonyms untruthful and deceitful are close in meaning, untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deceitful

The same goes for Shelly Regner, who plays the alluring but ever-deceitful Brigid. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026

Musk has accused Altman of fraud and other deceitful behavior in a case scheduled to go to trial in late April. —Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

Their false claims about getting financially fleeced by Uncle Sam were fueled by a rather sophisticated, albeit deceitful and shameful lobbying campaign, sponsored by greedy gadflies out to make a quick buck. —Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026

The book goes into the deceitful methods used to secure the interview, which was broadcast on 20 November 1995, and the interest in figuring out what happened that exists to this day. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Nov. 2025