Synonyms of hoodwink

hoodwink

verb

ˈhu̇d-ˌwiŋk 

as in to deceive

to cause to believe what is untrue

Tom Sawyer famously hoodwinked the other boys into thinking there was nothing more enjoyable than whitewashing a fence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deceive
• fool
• trick
• mislead
• delude
• bamboozle
• misinform
• dupe
• misguide
• beguile
• tease
• hornswoggle
• cozen
• bluff
• kid
• con
• juggle
• hoax
• sucker
• cheat
• humbug
• gull
• spoof
• catch
• buffalo
• string along
• sting
• gaff
• suck in
• have
• have on
• gammon
• snow
• burn
• take in
• lead one down the garden path
• snooker
• fake out
• pull one's leg
• do a number on
• defraud
• pull the wool over one's eyes
• swindle
• shortchange
• stick
• flimflam
• put on
• mulct
• diddle
• fleece
• euchre
• chisel
• hustle
• bleed
• squeeze
• skin
• rook

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expose
• undeceive
• reveal
• unmask
• uncover
• debunk
• tell
• disclose
• show up
• divulge
• unveil
• disabuse
• uncloak
• disillusion
• disenchant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hoodwink

Stadiums are notorious for their lack of multiplier impact, which is one reason these days why sports team owners, such as the McCaskey family that controls the Bears, have such a hard time hoodwinking governments into giving them direct subsidies to build their stadiums. — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

In other words, local government officials could have done what the Times reporters did but were hoodwinked, wanted to erase the shame and failed to diligently examine the claims. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026

Public health often responds that MAHA supporters like Elizabeth, Melinda, and Nancy have been hoodwinked by social media influencers, grifters, and anti-vaccine zealots. — Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026

Invited to provide his thoughts on this, Arbeloa stressed he won’t be hoodwinked. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026

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