deceptively

adverb

as in falsely

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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 deceptively The seed for this puzzle was 55A, with its deceptively straightforward clue. — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2026 For the final event, Tommerup plans to do something deceptively simple. — Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026 The paper, led by a researcher named Evan Hubinger, described an experiment in which Anthropic’s team had deliberately trained AI models to behave deceptively. — Kevin Roose, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026 Seeing the entire court while operating with the ball can be deceptively difficult for young NBA players. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 This deceptively simple recipe turns any mild, firm white fish into an incredibly delicious dish. — Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2026 Human hands are deceptively complex pieces of bioengineering that are capable of fine motor control, tactile sensing, and strength. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026 The question for me is whether or not Lloyd will also manage to capture the melancholy of a deceptively serious play, notwithstanding its reputation. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 These lacy white flowers look deceptively similar—but mistaking one for the other can have severe consequences. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceptively
  1. falsely
  2. artfully
  3. deceitfully
  4. dishonestly
  5. artificially
  6. unnaturally
  7. cannily
  8. hypocritically
Adverb
  • The initiative specifically targets performers who coerce visitors for cash or falsely imply that tipping is mandatory, FOX5 said.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But in others, it was used to criticize candidates by falsely portraying them alongside immigrants, trans people or drag queens as these groups have become greater targets.
    — Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of falsely
Adverb
  • High school student Bella Dubrovsky beamed proudly next to her tray of artfully frosted sugar cookies.
    — Laina Gustafson, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct. 2026
  • His bed, once artfully tussled, is a feat of military-tight corners.
    — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of artfully
Adverb
  • Jacob goes to Isaac with this hairy disguise, deceitfully announces himself as Esau, and obtains his father’s blessing—much to the chagrin of his brother.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026
  • To help fill their coffers even more, the lobbyists deceitfully expanded the definition of those notch years to include everyone born through 1926.
    — Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of deceitfully
Adverb
  • This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
  • In that lawsuit, State Farm said that the record only showed a disagreement over the cause of roof damage, and that there was no evidence the company had acted dishonestly.
    — Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of dishonestly
Adverb
  • However, trading executives point out that transaction taxes and stamp duties are included in top-line revenue, artificially inflating Asia prime totals.
    — Hugh Son, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The combined approach also proved more robust against noise that the team introduced artificially.
    — Mike McRae October 19, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of artificially
Adverb
  • Earlier versions looked unnaturally green, while the team also considered how the character’s skin would react to different lighting.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Calvin’s eager-to-please son, Wade (Charlie Heaton), watches his captain fall prey to unnaturally turning tides.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of unnaturally
Adverb
  • The idea might seem clever, as if the artist has cannily illustrated how the lovey-dovey notion of romance and family is hokey, brain-dead, false.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In her depiction of the exhausting vigilance this reality required, through a second-person voice cannily implicating her reader, Rankine created a new language to identify a problem as old as the United States.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cannily
Adverb
  • Takeshita came across a vaunted screwdriver in the ring as Don Callis hypocritically called him a degenerate.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Trump hypocritically voted by mail himself in a recent Florida special election.
    — George Skelton, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of hypocritically

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Cite this Entry

“Deceptively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceptively. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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