Definitions

deceptive

[dih-sep-tiv] / dɪˈsɛp tɪv /

ADJECTIVE

dishonest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous deceitful disingenuous false fraudulent misleading slick sneaky subtle tricky underhanded unreliable

WEAK

astucious beguiling bum catchy crafty cunning deceiving deluding delusive delusory designing fake fallacious fishy foxy illusory imposturous indirect insidious lying mock oblique off phony plausible rascal roguish scheming seeming serpentine shifty slippery sly snide specious spurious treacherous two-faced underhand wily

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aboveboard forthright frank genuine honest open real reliable sincere true trustworthy truthful valid

WEAK

upright

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.

However, they also agreed with Cipollone that tobacco liability cases do not get blanket federal preemption, especially if industry participates in fraud or other deceptive practices independent of a warning label.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026

Physical performance increased by 7% in the deceptive placebo group and by 9.2% in the open-label placebo group.

From Science Daily • Jun. 25, 2026

Last July, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Mars for alleged deceptive trade practices tied to artificial dyes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

According to TikTok’s community guidelines, the platform bans accounts engaging in deceptive or manipulative activity or discrimination.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

I see now what I saw then, flashing by with the swift, deceptive ease of an accident: shower of gravel, windmilling arms, a hand that claws at a branch and misses.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Vocabulary lists containing deceptive

Fake It 'Til You Make It: Synonyms for "False"

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 2

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Red Kayak

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