double-dealing 1 of 2

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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

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double-dealing

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun double-dealing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of double-dealing are deception, fraud, subterfuge, and trickery. While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

When might deception be a better fit than double-dealing?

The meanings of deception and double-dealing largely overlap; however, deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

When is fraud a more appropriate choice than double-dealing?

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

indicted for fraud

When could subterfuge be used to replace double-dealing?

The synonyms subterfuge and double-dealing are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When would trickery be a good substitute for double-dealing?

In some situations, the words trickery and double-dealing are roughly equivalent. However, 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 double-dealing
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
  • The Act provides market players and investors additional mechanisms and avenues to seek redress and curb fraudulent digital asset activities.
    Abubakar Nur Khalil, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The lawsuit previously featured additional claims for civil conspiracy and fraudulent conveyance, but those were dismissed in earlier actions.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kornet, who nearly recorded a triple double (10 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks) in Game 5 was late on rotations.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
  • The Knights started quickly as shortstop Aubrey Evans led off the bottom of the first with a double to deep left.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • In the 1970s, information about the Tuskegee study – a deceptive and unethical 40-year study of untreated syphilis in Black men – came to light.
    Christine Coughlin, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
  • Anyone wanting to fight such usage would have to rely on deceptive practice laws, trademark and copyright protection, and state-specific laws protecting a person's name, image, and likeness.
    Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Through shocking testimonies from government insiders, confidential documents, and private audio recordings from the highest level of the military, BODYGUARD OF LIES exposes the tangled web of deception fed to the American public by the U.S. government during its 20-year war in Afghanistan.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2025
  • Mauriello, a senior lecturer at the University of Maryland, said in his experience, people's sympathetic nervous system could be activated by a host of reasons — beyond deception.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Pretending otherwise is dishonest and counter-factual.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • The cruelty of his dishonest sham, founded on disdain for the autistic community and aimed at parents of autistic children, defies decency.
    Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 12 May 2025
  • YouTube has further cracked down on fake movie trailer channels.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Gates has three ecosystems on her quarter-acre: a sunny front yard, a shady back plot and a small wetland garden on one side.
    USA Today, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • The fear this instills in I-Jing — already ignored by her busy mother, nor attended to by her mercurial older sister, I-Ann, who holds a grudge against her mother and rebels by working at a shady betel nut stand — sets off a secrets-unearthing chain of events.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • In Towards Zero, Rhys plays a troubled detective who tries to untangle a toxic web of jealousy, deceit and dysfunction.
    Brianne Tracy, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • But today, finally, Santos has been held accountable for his years of fraud, deceit and theft.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Double-dealing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double-dealing. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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