deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv 
: tending or having power to cause someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid : tending or having power to deceive
a deceptive appearance
a pitcher with a deceptive windup
deceptively
adverb
deceptiveness
noun
Examples of deceptive in a Sentence
in his deceptive answer about the vehicle's history, the salesman said that the used car had never been hit by another car
a mail-order firm indicted for deceptive business practices
Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, the instantly-recognizable print is often considered a neutral by fashion people for its deceptive wearability.
—
Jordan Julian, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
As with the deceptive home robot demos, there is a difference between the ideal version of a task and the messy reality of putting humanoids to work in commercial settings.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The companies must also comply with reporting requirements, reform their practices, and refrain from any further unfair or deceptive marketing or sale of diesel vehicles, including misrepresentations regarding emissions and compliance, Kaul said.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Its key provisions target specific deceptive tactics businesses use, broken down into several sections.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
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Jordan Julian, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
As with the deceptive home robot demos, there is a difference between the ideal version of a task and the messy reality of putting humanoids to work in commercial settings.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The companies must also comply with reporting requirements, reform their practices, and refrain from any further unfair or deceptive marketing or sale of diesel vehicles, including misrepresentations regarding emissions and compliance, Kaul said.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Its key provisions target specific deceptive tactics businesses use, broken down into several sections.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
Cite this Entry
“Deceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deceptive. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv
: tending or having power to deceive : misleading
a deceptive appearance
deceptively
adverb
deceptiveness
noun
Legal Definition
deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv
: tending or having capacity to deceive
deceptive trade practices
compare fraudulent, misleading
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