hoodwink

verb

ˈhu̇d-ˌwiŋk How to pronounce hoodwink (audio)
Definition of hoodwinknext
as in to deceive
to cause to believe what is untrue Tom Sawyer famously hoodwinked the other boys into thinking there was nothing more enjoyable than whitewashing a fence

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 hoodwink Stadiums are notorious for their lack of multiplier impact, which is one reason these days why sports team owners, such as the McCaskey family that controls the Bears, have such a hard time hoodwinking governments into giving them direct subsidies to build their stadiums. — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 In other words, local government officials could have done what the Times reporters did but were hoodwinked, wanted to erase the shame and failed to diligently examine the claims. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026 Public health often responds that MAHA supporters like Elizabeth, Melinda, and Nancy have been hoodwinked by social media influencers, grifters, and anti-vaccine zealots. — Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026 Invited to provide his thoughts on this, Arbeloa stressed he won’t be hoodwinked. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hoodwink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoodwink
  1. deceive
  2. fool
  3. trick
Verb
  • But looks are deceiving in this case – just like the 3X Plus and 3X before it, the trailer stretches out via three individual telescopic segments that emerge at the push of a button.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Facebook's lawyers argued that the state failed to prove whether people were actually harmed by these deceiving statements.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of 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
  • That makes sense when a malicious app tricks you into installing it.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Federal prosecutors say Bailey and an associate tricked people out of $2 million from 2018 to 2022.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick

Browse Nearby Words

hoods
hoodwink
hoodwinked
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Cite this Entry

“Hoodwink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoodwink. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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