duplicitous

adjective

du̇-ˈpli-sə-təs How to pronounce duplicitous (audio)
Definition of duplicitousnext
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception warned her not to trust the duplicitous art dealer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 duplicitous Fletcher was intrigued — there are plenty of ticket buyers out there who want to relive their Hi Infidelity days — until the contract revealed itself to be a bit duplicitous in nature. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026 Also on the call sheet is Kathryn Hahn, hailed for her recent works in Agatha All Along and The Studio, and who is playing the duplicitous Mother Gothel. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026 In his account, an international order run by a single power would hinder Russia and produce needless conflict, especially when that power was as self-serving and duplicitous as America. — Alan Cullison, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026 After backing out of an agreement to trade first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 for Crosby, DeCosta was decried as dishonorable, dirty and duplicitous, especially after Baltimore signed another accomplished edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson, to a free-agent deal the following day. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duplicitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duplicitous
  1. deceptive
  2. fraudulent
  3. shady
  4. dishonest
  5. crooked
Adjective
  • Shadow fleet vessels disguise their identity and purpose through a broad range of deceptive activities, including spoofing their locations and destinations.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • The complaint alleged deceptive advertising and other misconduct.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • All three Republican candidates apparently hired the same signature gathering firm to collect signatures, many of which appear to have been fraudulent.
    — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 2 July 2026
  • However, because agentic systems can execute actions independently, an error can become a severe operational failure, such as authorizing fraudulent transactions or deleting mission-critical databases.
    — Barney Krishnan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of fraudulent
Adjective
  • The weather service also cautions the heat index is calculated for shady areas only.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • That makes these networks valuable for people trying to hide mass scraping, fake ad clicks, account attacks or other shady activity.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • For millions of individuals and businesses who rely on professional preparers, the answer portends a frightening prospect if the return preparer is dishonest.
    — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Her attorneys contend the defendants used the litigation to portray her as dishonest, intimidate potential witnesses, fuel a public relations campaign against her and drive up the cost of her legal defense.
    — Adam Reiss, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Definition of dishonest
Adjective
  • Better known among seasoned riders as the Triple Nickel, the route makes for one of the most crooked roads in the Midwest, if not the country.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • There’ll be something else to keep the crooked numbers away, don’t worry.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of crooked

Browse Nearby Words

duplicators
duplicitous
duplicity
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Cite this Entry

“Duplicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duplicitous. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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