DECEIVE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'deceive' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deceive are beguile , delude , and mislead . While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness. // tried to deceive me about the cost

Q: In what contexts can 'beguile' take the place of 'deceive'?

Although the words beguile and deceive have much in common, beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving. // was beguiled by false promises

Q: When is 'delude' a more appropriate choice than 'deceive'?

While the synonyms delude and deceive are close in meaning, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth. // we were deluded into thinking we were safe

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mislead' instead of 'deceive'?

The words mislead and deceive can be used in similar contexts, but mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional. // I was misled by the confusing sign

deceive

verb

di-ˈsēv

Definition of deceive

as in to fool

to cause to believe what is untrue he went to great lengths to deceive his family about the nature of his new job at the mall

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How does the verb deceive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deceive are beguile, delude, and mislead. While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.

tried to deceive me about the cost

In what contexts can beguile take the place of deceive?

Although the words beguile and deceive have much in common, beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.

was beguiled by false promises

When is delude a more appropriate choice than deceive?

While the synonyms delude and deceive are close in meaning, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.

we were deluded into thinking we were safe

When is it sensible to use mislead instead of deceive?

The words mislead and deceive can be used in similar contexts, but mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.

I was misled by the confusing sign

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 deceive That’s why a new band bleeding the edges of garage, punk, Americana, and indie rock is deceiving when old heads who’ve remained involved since the aughts remember Hollywell strictly from his crusty folk-punk days before smartphones and social media. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026 Meta has been ordered by a judge in New Mexico to pay $25 billion to the state after a jury found that the social media company deceived consumers for years about its data privacy policies. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 New Mexico sued Facebook in 2021, accusing it of mishandling state residents’ personal information and deceiving those users about its policies in connection with the incident. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 The earnings report came hours after a New Mexico state judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found the company liable last month for deceiving users about Facebook‘s data privacy and content moderation policies. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deceive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceive

Verb

The Pleiades open star cluster Don't be fooled by their beauty; the blue-white stars of the Pleiades are dripping in spooky lore.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Chiefs-Seahawks game prediction Don’t be fooled be the records.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of fool

Verb

The speakers accused Cofer of exploiting fears surrounding immigration enforcement and misleading Latino voters about Guerra’s record.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
In one case, the program paid out more than $50 million to an electric vehicle company after its former chief executive was indicted on suspicion of misleading investors, Briscoe reports.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of mislead

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deceivable

deceive

deceived

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“Deceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deceive

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