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duplicitous

adjective

du̇-ˈpli-sə-təs How to pronounce duplicitous (audio)
Definition of duplicitousnext
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception warned her not to trust the duplicitous art dealer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 duplicitous Nolan floats a convincing psychological reason why this Odysseus subconsciously believes his duplicitous actions during the war deserve permanent exile from civilization. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 The bigger problem, though, comes in a character played by Marion Cotillard, a duplicitous figure who takes over the reins of the film later. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 Infiltrate a swanky New York law firm that may be duplicitous in the opioid crisis, an epidemic that also happens to have taken the life of her daughter. — Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 14 June 2026 The takeaway, then, isn’t that students are duplicitous and depraved or that technology has eroded their moral core. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicitous
  1. deceptive
  2. fraudulent
  3. shady
  4. dishonest
  5. crooked
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
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
  • 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
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
  • An incoming generation, simply by their existence, dislodged a crooked anxiety that the new face of Asian America is Wasian.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Under Mitchell, Pecora showed, the nation’s largest bank had become an impeccably groomed racketeering enterprise, dressing up crooked enterprises as gilt-edged to sell their bonds and stocks to unsuspecting buyers.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of crooked

Browse Nearby Words

duplicators
duplicitous
duplicity
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Cite this Entry

“Duplicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicitous. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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