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 On the flip side, secrecy triggers hypervigilance, where one partner obsessively scans for signs of deception or hidden threats, and naturally so given the suspicious nature of the matter. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 In addition to office politics, there is plenty of drama, deception and death, as fans have come to expect from Perry's projects. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025 Minnesota’s Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson condemned the deception and affirmed how troubling the ambush was. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025 Tatum does stretch his acting abilities in scenes where Jeffrey’s con-man charisma is underlaid with desperation and deception, but there’s nothing in Cianfrance and Kirt Gunn’s screenplay to seriously challenge Tatum’s persona as a leading man. Katie Rife, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deception
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deception
Noun
  • Many of the women who spoke Monday addressed that claim directly, saying they were tricked and coerced from the start and that the deceit went far beyond one lie about where the video would be distributed.
    Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The rest of the book is autobiographical, a love story between two writers, but also, a tale of deceit.
    Sarah Adler September 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
  • The Nepalese government, citing concerns over fake accounts, hate speech, disinformation and fraud, said the measures were to ensure accountability and make operators responsible for content on their platforms.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • While the classic grounds for denaturalization include concealment of criminal histories or material lies in the naturalization process, there are growing indications that serious tax fraud may be viewed as evidence that naturalization was procured illegally or fraudulently.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When yet another affair is discovered (Kate Upton), all three women team up to plot mutual revenge on their cheating, lying, three-timing SOB.
    Caitlin White, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Byron had his arms wrapped around the company's HR chief, Kristin Cabot, and subsequently faced cheating allegations after they were spotted on the jumbotron.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Luke Shaw’s technique and cunning at centre-back deserved to be better rewarded.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deception.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deception. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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