1
as in fraudulent
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
double-dealing business practices that are being investigated by the state's attorney general
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in double
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
the double-dealing salesman never told me that the car had been in an accident and repaired
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception
the double-dealing team owners were pitting the two cities against one another, both of whom badly wanted the franchise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
a go-between suspected of double-dealing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of double-dealing
Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Making his Broadway debut, Burr is a cyclone as the fast-talking, double-dealing Dave Moss, who springs a plan to steal the leads on his unwilling accomplice, George Aaronow (McKean, drolly exasperated).
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Mullen's righthand man, Roger Carlson (Jesse Plemons), was double-dealing with billionaire Robert Lyndon (Clark Gregg), who ultimately ordered a hit on him in Episode 4.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025
Through his double-dealing with the government, Carmine Falcone was Gotham’s top crime boss for over two decades, accruing massive wealth, political influence, and an elite status.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2024
While the Biden Administration seems to perceive Cambodia as an amenable partner, Manet is double-dealing Beijing and Washington.
—Sam Rainsy, TIME, 24 June 2024
Downey’s performance, equal parts subtly scented aftershave and snake oil, is a double-dealing marvel.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 July 2023
Having a computer be the antagonistic heart of the film instead of a human baddie is a huge swing, though, and consequently this first of a two-part story line faces some narrative obstacles amid the usual face-swapping, double-dealing spycraft.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 5 July 2023
Dive into these series for the thrill of family backstabbing, corporate double-dealing or simply for the maladjusted — and wealthy and/or powerful — bringing out the worst in one another, typically (except for a few aspirational exceptions).
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 June 2023
Noun
Far from being some dastardly act of espionage and double-dealing, Cartwright made his fateful choice out of love.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Making his Broadway debut, Burr is a cyclone as the fast-talking, double-dealing Dave Moss, who springs a plan to steal the leads on his unwilling accomplice, George Aaronow (McKean, drolly exasperated).
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Mullen's righthand man, Roger Carlson (Jesse Plemons), was double-dealing with billionaire Robert Lyndon (Clark Gregg), who ultimately ordered a hit on him in Episode 4.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025
Through his double-dealing with the government, Carmine Falcone was Gotham’s top crime boss for over two decades, accruing massive wealth, political influence, and an elite status.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2024
While the Biden Administration seems to perceive Cambodia as an amenable partner, Manet is double-dealing Beijing and Washington.
—Sam Rainsy, TIME, 24 June 2024
Downey’s performance, equal parts subtly scented aftershave and snake oil, is a double-dealing marvel.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 July 2023
Having a computer be the antagonistic heart of the film instead of a human baddie is a huge swing, though, and consequently this first of a two-part story line faces some narrative obstacles amid the usual face-swapping, double-dealing spycraft.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 5 July 2023
Dive into these series for the thrill of family backstabbing, corporate double-dealing or simply for the maladjusted — and wealthy and/or powerful — bringing out the worst in one another, typically (except for a few aspirational exceptions).
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double-dealing
Adjective
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The Kentucky State Police is investigating after former Kentucky Transportation Cabinet employees allegedly created several fraudulent licenses for people without running the proper screenings for immigration status, among other things.—
Marina Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
23 Aug. 2025
-
County attorneys presented documents that Tapia was under investigation for allegedly claiming $25,000 to $50,000 in fraudulent overtime from January to October 2024.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Fox, too, remains an offensive load: double drags, tosses, whatever.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
-
There are double sinks to scrub in before surgery and large basins to clean the equipment afterward.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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These emails are loaded with deceptive links that lead to malware infections, and the consequences can be severe.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Match Group, the parent company of Match.com, Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, and PlentyOfFish, has agreed to pay $14 million to settle a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission about deceptive advertising practices.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Those convictions ended up being tossed by the Supreme Court, which ruled that the scheme, while involving deception and corruption, did not violate federal law.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Digital deception is still deception under the law.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Such attempts are dangerous not only for being dishonest but also for missing aspects of customer quality, without which businesses risk falling into the low-price trap.—
Mindaugas Čaplinskas,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Starring Braff as Andy, the film's protagonist, and Natalie Portman as his eccentric and compulsively dishonest love interest, the film is often compared to The Graduate (1967), but remains a singular romantic comedy that demands an emotional reaction from its audience.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In some cases, scam victims have reached out to fraudsters on fake websites, which look legitimate, in hopes of recovering their funds.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Trump still puts himself on fake magazine covers for validation, but some version of his celebrity and influence — and the attendant and unnerving public scrutiny — is now available to anyone who wants it.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In the South, cool-season grasses are often grown in shady areas of the landscape or seeded over Bermuda grass for winter color.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
17 Aug. 2025
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These shady characters are only part of a long list of ne’er-do-wells.—
Norman B. Gildin,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Who will stay truthful and who will choose deceit to get ahead?—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
-
Your discussions are subject to confusion, misinterpretation, even deceit.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Double-dealing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double-dealing. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
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