deception

From Middle English decepcioun, from Old French decepcion, from Latin dēcipiō (“to deceive”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪˈsɛpʃən/

• Audio (US):

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deception (countable and uncountable, plural deceptions)

1. An instance of actions and/or schemes fabricated to mislead someone into believing a lie or inaccuracy.

   deliberate deception

   pure deception

   She got the money out of the tourist by deception.

   • 1969 September, Charles A. Watkins, “Chaucer’s Sweete Preest”, in Earl R. Wasserman et al., editors, ELH [English Literary History], volume 36, number 3, Baltimore, Md.: The Johns Hopkins Press, →DOI, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 463:

     The Priest also places a moral barrier between himself and his tale by establishing himself as an "unreliable narrator" capable of deception and irony. Thus, through his habit of speaking equivocally, he can disavow responsibility for his frequently provocative words.

   • 2021 February 11, Greg Hegman, “Same old Trump”, in Times-News, Twin Falls, Ida., page A9:

     Reports related to Trump’s second impeachment very well reflect the Trumpology of the last four years – lie as much as you find tolerable (and the tolerance levels have been moved out extensively), and cover the truth with more lies and deception. […] Lies, deceit and corruption – the core of Trumpology.

   • 2024 September 11, Richard Brody, ““Winner” Takes Political Comedy Seriously”, in The New Yorker‎^[1]:

     The movie delivers a critical and analytical 'unfolding of the circumstances of Reality [Winner]’s life, starting with her childhood in Texas, in order to reveal her sense of deceptions and injustices that pass largely unchallenged in everyday American life.

• See also Thesaurus:deception

• deceive
• deceptive