Synonym Chooser

How does the noun deception differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deception are double-dealing, fraud, subterfuge, and trickery. While all these words 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

Where would double-dealing be a reasonable alternative to deception?

In some situations, the words double-dealing and deception are roughly equivalent. However, double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

When would fraud be a good substitute for deception?

While in some cases nearly identical to deception, fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

When can subterfuge be used instead of deception?

Although the words subterfuge and deception have much in common, 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

In what contexts can trickery take the place of deception?

The words trickery and deception are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

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 deception The man is also charged with fleeing or attempting to flee a law enforcement officer by engaging in reckless driving, theft by deception, theft of property or services and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to Wyandotte County court documents. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025 This means conversations with others will be subject to confusion, misinterpretation and deception. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025 The tension between Mercury (in a methodical and analytical sign like Virgo) versus Saturn retrograde (in a sign that has everything to do with illusions, deception and compassion) can be difficult to ignore. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025 But there’s some deception at play. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deception
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deception
Noun
  • Big Oil giant Shell accused Venture Global of deceit—not disruption—in a contract dispute.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, an element of deceit might be lurking as well.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
  • And the next pretext might not be crime; it might be supposed voter fraud, a phenomenon that is statistically almost non-existent.
    Elizabeth Goitein, Time, 27 Sep. 2025
  • But Giuliani accused the company again of contributing to voter fraud not long after on his radio show.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Emotional cheating occurs when someone develops a strong connection with someone other than their committed partner, leading to them sharing intimate thoughts, feelings and experiences, Sara Kuburic, a psychotherapist, previously wrote in USA TODAY.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Slowly but surely, his cheating works.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Luke Shaw’s technique and cunning at centre-back deserved to be better rewarded.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deception.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deception. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deception

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