51Թ

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View synonyms for

deceitful

[ dih-seet-fuhl ]

adjective

  1. given to deceiving:

    A deceitful person cannot keep friends for long.

    Synonyms: , , , , , ,

    Antonyms:

  2. intended to deceive; misleading; fraudulent:

    a deceitful action.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:



deceitful

/ ɪˈːٴʊ /

adjective

  1. full of deceit
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ𾱳ٴڳܱ, adverb
  • ˈ𾱳ٴڳܱԱ, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ·𾱳fܱ· adverb
  • ·𾱳fܱ·Ա noun
  • ܲd·𾱳fܱ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of deceitful1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; deceit + -ful
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"You’re talking about a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist who’s made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again," he said.

From

The network added that their transcripts and video "show – consistent with 60 Minutes' repeated assurances to the public – that the 60 Minutes broadcast was not doctored or deceitful."

From

The document says Trump's speech on the Ellipse on 6 January 2021 could meet the Supreme Court's definition of incitement, especially when seen alongside his "lengthy and deceitful voter-fraud narrative".

From

The revelations soon ignited widespread criticism, with consumers accusing sanitary pad makers of being deceitful.

From

“The word ‘sly’ often carries negative connotations like ‘deceitful’ – a wholly inaccurate and unfair perception of foxes,” she said.

From

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More About Deceitful

What doesdeceitful mean?

Deceitful means intended to or tending to deceive—to lie, mislead, or otherwise hide or distort the truth.

The noun deceit most commonly refers to the act or practice of deceiving, but it can also refer to the quality of someone or something that deceives. A deceitful person can be said to be full of deceit.

Deceitful can describe people, their actions, or something that deceives or is intended to deceive, as in It was a deceitful plan from the beginning. The word deceptive has a very similar meaning, but it’s typically applied to actions or practices, as in deceptive business practices.

Being deceitful doesn’t just involve lying. It can consist of misrepresenting or omitting the truth or more complicated cover-ups. Anything that involves intentionally misleading someone is deceitful.

51Թs like deceit and deceitful often imply a pattern of behavior, rather than a one-time act.

Example: I’m sick of how deceitful you are—I can’t trust anything you say!

Where doesdeceitful come from?

The first records of the word deceitful come from the 1400s. Its base word, deceit,comes from the Old French verb deceivre, meaning “to deceive.” Deceit and related words like deceive and deception ultimately derive from the Latin verb ŧ, meaning “to ensnare” (in the literal sense of trapping someone or an animal).

Things described as deceitful include attempts to mislead or trick someone or trap them with a deceptive scheme. Being deceitful always involves deceiving someone, but it may not involve outright lying. Some forms of deceit involve concealing the truth or simply omitting the truth. Just because you didn’t lie doesn’t mean you weren’t deceitful.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to deceitful?

  • deceitfully (adverb)
  • deceitfulness (noun)
  • deceit (noun)

What are some synonyms for deceitful?

What are some words that share a root or word element with deceitful?

What are some words that often get used in discussing deceitful?

How isdeceitful used in real life?

Deceitful and deceptive are often used to mean the same thing, but deceptive is less likely to be used to describe a person and more likely to describe an action or practice. Deceitful can be used in all kinds of contexts, though of course it is common in political discussion.

Try usingdeceitful!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of deceitful?

A. duplicitous
B. deceptive
C. descriptive
D. dishonest

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