duplicity

noun

du·plic·i·ty du̇-ˈpli-sə-tē

also dyu̇-

plural duplicities

Synonyms of duplicity next

: contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action

the simplicity and openness of their lives brought out for him the duplicity that lay at the bottom of ours—

Mary Austin

especially : the belying of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action

: the quality or state of being double or twofold

law : the technically incorrect use of two or more distinct items (such as claims, charges, or defenses) in a single legal action

Did you know?

How to Remember What Duplicity Means

The idea of doubleness is at the core of duplicity. Duplicity comes from a Latin word meaning "double" or "twofold," and its original meaning in English has to do with a kind of deception in which you intentionally hide your true feelings or intentions behind false words or actions. If you are being duplicitous there are two yous: the one you're showing and the one you're hiding. And—key to the idea of duplicity—you're hiding that you in order to make people believe something that's not true.

The word is found in many works of literature, including the Bible:

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
— Proverbs 11:3 (New International Version)

Even when he sat opposite me in the kitchen, talking, he would turn his head a little toward the clock or the stove and look at me from the side, but with frankness and good nature. This trick did not suggest duplicity or secretiveness….
— Willa Cather, My Antonia, 1918

Arch read it at breakfast the day it came out and again that night. He admired its art but was most affected, and in fact discomfited, by its unblinking inventory of self-seeking and duplicity.
— Tobias Wolff, Old School, 2003

Did you know?

If someone's duplicity has left you feeling like you're seeing double, take heart in the word's etymology. Duplicity comes from a long line of "double" talk, starting with its Latin grandparent duplex, which means "double" or "twofold." As you might expect, duplex is also the parent of another term for doubling it up, duplicate. And of course, the English duplex (which can be a noun meaning "a two-family house" or an adjective meaning "double") comes from the Latin word of the same spelling.

Example Sentences

He exposed the spy's duplicity. we were lucky not to be taken in by his duplicity

Recent Examples on the Web That is even worse — even worse than the pols’ duplicity. —

Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Apr. 2023 The prospect of duplicity from one of the characters briefly hangs in the air, before being neatly resolved before the closing credits. —

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2023 When does multiplicity shade into duplicity or superficiality? —

Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2023 But for Wisner and his agency, duplicity and disinformation weren’t just tools to be used abroad. —

Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 7 Aug. 2021 Jason Culp narrates this and a later section, bringing an authoritative approach to a tale that is filled with formidable twists, duplicity and stunning revelations. —

Katherine A. Powers, Star Tribune, 28 May 2021 Condemnation was even louder from Republicans, who have seized on Cuomo’s performance on nursing homes — where more than 10,000 New Yorkers have died during the pandemic, but the state long stalled on releasing full data — as evidence of duplicity or even criminality. —

BostonGlobe.com, 12 Feb. 2021 But Vescio wonders if Shanti ultimately did discover Dave's duplicity on the night she was murdered. —

Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 5 June 2021 Party observers say the drive for centralization in a sprawling nation too often fosters bureaucratic inertia, duplicity and other unproductive practices that are aimed at satisfying Beijing and protecting careers but threaten to undermine Mr. Xi’s goals. —

James Freeman, WSJ, 8 Mar. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'duplicity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.