deceives

VERB

mislead; be dishonest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

betray cheat circumvent defraud delude disappoint dupe entrap falsify fool hoodwink swindle trick victimize

STRONG

bamboozle beat beguile bilk buffalo burn clip con cozen ensnare fake fleece gouge gull hoax hook humbug outwit rob scam screw sell skin

WEAK

beat out of cross up double-cross impose upon lead on play joke on pull fast one put on suck in take advantage of take for take for ride take in take to cleaners

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist help protect support

STRONG

be honest give let go offer release

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Reject every form of abuse or violence, which deceives by promising easy gains but hardens the heart and makes it insensitive," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

In the second complaint, the state argued that the app deceives consumers into believing their sensitive and personal information is secure.

From Washington Times • Nov. 29, 2023

"Instead it did something even cleverer — it brought together existing genes, which already do other things in different parts of the plant, to make a complicated spot on the petals that deceives male flies."

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2023

A separate complaint from Rokita argued the app has users’ sensitive and personal information but deceives consumers into believing that information is secure.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2022

I will be the proverbial parent who deceives the child by offering medicine laced with sweet syrup.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein