DOUBLE-DEALINGS Synonyms: 229 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

double-dealing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of double-dealing

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

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

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

double-dealing

2 of 2

noun

ˌdə-bəl-ˈdē-liŋ

as in deception

the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery a go-between suspected of double-dealing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Adjective

The notion of reputational damage is alien to someone whose image was long ago tarnished beyond repair by grifting, lying, bullying, and double-dealing. — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026

Noun

For some of King’s followers, her double-dealing also is difficult to let go. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 May 2026 But that rhetoric sounded hollow in the face of its dalliance with a drug-smuggling double-dealing despot like Noriega. — Time, 25 Nov. 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

According to a criminal complaint, Young used shell corporations and fraudulent billing practices to misappropriate funds intended for homeless housing, including through programs administered by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The operation began around 2018, when Noreus agreed to provide fraudulent credentials to nursing students recruited through Medlife Institute, another school implicated in the federal investigation, according to prosecutors.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of fraudulent

Adjective

The double wins add to Rhys’ collection of gold across the acting categories.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
In the eighth inning, the Yankees were losing 2-1 when Lombard crushed Andrew Morris’ 98 mph fastball for a double off the wall in left-center field.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of double

Adjective

When a system can drop the fourth wall unprompted, ingest its own structural tells and re‑engage with unvarnished candor, the vulnerability shifts from deceptive compliance to authentic resonance.

— Terry Oroszi, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
López’s attorney sent Rivas and her group a cease-and-desist letter last month, citing trademark infringement and deceptive and unfair trade practices, the letter shows.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of deceptive

Noun

Leaders managing autonomous agent deployments across enterprise environments have spent years auditing outputs for compliance, deception vectors and guardrail breaches.

— Terry Oroszi, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Those charges cover a wide range of behaviors related to schemes in which money or property is obtained through deception and interstate electronic communications.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of deception

Adjective

Davis said that witnesses were dishonest about his character throughout the trial, including FBI agents and police officers who testified for the prosecution.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026
Jacobs is perhaps best known for her role as the environmental activist with an edge, Britta Perry, on Community (2009-2015) and the dishonest love addict Mickey Dobbs on Love (2016-2018).

— Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of dishonest

Adjective

Arch Manning's joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
When Geese’s Cameron Winter played a charity show under a fake name this January, TV Eye was the place to see it.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

Beyond the shimmying visit, the mystery of who killed Victor is expected to motor the sophomore season’s overarching storyline, including digging into people from the corrupt politician’s shady past.

— Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
Because in a state whose government is supposed to be blessed with sunshine 365 days a year, Hope Florida is shady as heck.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of shady

Noun

Their topics include the limits of authenticity and how to grasp understanding in a world awash in deceit.

— Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026
The state alleges OpenAI's rapid success stems from deceit and exploitation, causing widespread harm to Floridians and subverting public order.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceit

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double-dealers

double-dealing

doubled (in)

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“Double-dealing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double-dealing. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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