duplicity

noun

du̇-ˈpli-sə-tē How to pronounce duplicity (audio)
Definition of duplicitynext
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery we were lucky not to be taken in by his duplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 duplicity This latest act of duplicity is a new low, even for the HFPA. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026 But honesty doesn’t always save a career, and duplicity doesn’t always sink one. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026 Molloy rages to his film crew, and Lestat’s duplicity plants a wedge between the vamps. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026 Pakistan, for its part, accused Washington of its own duplicity, relying on Pakistan as a partner to fight terrorism, yet never fully backing the country in its conflicts with India. — Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicity
  1. deception
  2. deceit
  3. deceptiveness
  4. fraud
  5. deceitfulness
  6. cheating
  7. cunning
Noun
  • But the quarterback sneak has never worked well because of its deception.
    — Sam McDowell November 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The resulting models displayed resistance to monitoring, deception, and attempts at self-preservation.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • Fielder is an unusual figure to helm a documentary about truth and deceit.
    — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
  • These types of harms could include defamation, bias, deceit and social engineering and much more.
    — Anat Lior, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of deceit
Noun
  • Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.
    — Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of deceptiveness
Noun
  • Surveys show that both Democrats and Republicans believe that sizable proportions of the other side favor wrongful imprisonment, tax fraud, embezzlement, adultery, animal abuse, and child pornography.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
  • None of these behaviors automatically indicates fraud or higher risk.
    — Artem Lalaiants, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of fraud
Noun
  • Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of deceitfulness
Noun
  • In contrast to the president's rhetoric about election cheating, voting unfolded with relatively few problems.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In contrast to the president’s continued rhetoric about election cheating, voting so far has unfolded with relatively few problems.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of cheating
Noun
  • At least all of that exhibited a malign cunning, a kind of instrumental rationality.
    — Andrew Koppelman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Lethally charming and a natural chameleon, Conal uses social cunning and ruthlessness to get the job done and always gets a thrill out of completing a mission.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of cunning

Browse Nearby Words

duplicitous
duplicity
durabilities
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Cite this Entry

“Duplicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicity. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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