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
Or that double-dealing old ally who can still hunt? Mohammed Hanif, Time, 2 Sep. 2025 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double-dealing
Adjective
  • In audits by Guardio, Comet was tricked into making fraudulent purchases from fake sites—completing entire checkout flows without human verification.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Today’s legislation protects both animals and Californians by addressing fraudulent pet breeding and selling practices.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Lightcap—who joined OpenAI from Y Combinator in 2018—double-majored in economics and history in college.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The ball went into the dugout, allowing Max Kepler to advance to second, scoring on Nick Castellanos’ double.
    Levi Weaver, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Unboxed, these black silicone bands look unassuming, but their simplicity is deceptive.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The shuttering of the agency that enforces laws against anticompetitive and deceptive business behavior is one small part of the national gridlock that began on Wednesday and could result in the furlough of 750,000 federal workers and delay air travel.
    Reuters, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The unscripted show will feature a group of contestants who undergo physical and mental challenges, collecting clues before they are launched into a real-life game of detective work and deception.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The series will feature a group of contestants facing physical and mental challenges to collect clues before stepping into a real-life game of deduction and deception.
    Peter White, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Ventura also rejected the defense’s portrayal of Combs as a changed man, calling it dishonest and dangerous.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • No wonder de Lesseps became a national pariah whose name was synonymous with dishonest incompetence.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Methanol is an industrial chemical that can cause nerve and liver damage and is sometimes found in fake or poorly distilled alcohol.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Aside from games like volleyball and dominoes, Gach says some children stage fake ambushes on one another while pretending to be government forces or rebel fighters.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This shady ramble follows a beautiful stream to a gushing spring.
    Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • With the story transposed to a tough sprawling prison in Marseille, one of France’s most multicultural cities, the protagonist is now a young African immigrant, serving time for drug smuggling, who is offered the protection of a powerful and shady French-Algerian businessman.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But her target isn’t the usual demon of deceit, Mahishasura.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
  • And with that comes deceit and manipulation.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 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 13 Oct. 2025.

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