Definition of deceptionnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun deception differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deception are double-dealing, fraud, subterfuge, and trickery. While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

Where would double-dealing be a reasonable alternative to deception?

In some situations, the words double-dealing and deception are roughly equivalent. However, double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

When would fraud be a good substitute for deception?

While in some cases nearly identical to deception, fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

When can subterfuge be used instead of deception?

Although the words subterfuge and deception have much in common, subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.

obtained the papers by subterfuge

In what contexts can trickery take the place of deception?

The words trickery and deception are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

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 deception The point is to get away from lazy (but practical) System 1 thinking and apply your brain’s full power to seeing through any fraud or deception. Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026 As with Lavrov, Taras’ journey out was perilous, involving some deception and a huge amount of courage. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026 So, while Massachusetts was accusing Exxon of climate deception, the state was also fighting a records request that exposed its own failure to comply with one of its own climate rules. Paul Diego Craney, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026 This deception is the entry point into a broader system. New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deception
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deception
Noun
  • Taking someone’s money by deceit is generally not allowed, and the misrepresentations contained in the contract could serve as proof of the alleged fraud.
    Robert L. Boone, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
  • And in Six Degrees of Separation (1993), Hurt played one of the New York socialites who falls into the web of deceit created by a charismatic young man (Will Smith) pretending to be the son of Sidney Poitier.
    Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 29 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
  • The leader of the Ex-Slave Pension Association was later imprisoned on mail fraud charges, and the organization faded away, while the Eagles became one of the pressure groups that eventually led to Social Security.
    Trevor Jackson, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • At first, the attention became so intense that Bravo was removed from the televisions inside the minimum-security camp, where Shah was serving her sentence for her role in a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There seems to be a widespread perception that musicians who use artificial intelligence are engaged in a form of cheating.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • There is no rampant cheating or election fraud in California.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • 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
Noun
  • The Brazil international combines technical craft with a decisive cunning.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • But Muck is no Epstein, malevolent and cunning.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deception.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deception. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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