deceptive

adjective

de·​cep·​tive di-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce deceptive (audio)
: tending or having power to cause someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid : tending or having power to deceive
a deceptive appearance
a pitcher with a deceptive windup
deceptively adverb
deceptiveness noun

Examples of deceptive in a Sentence

in his deceptive answer about the vehicle's history, the salesman said that the used car had never been hit by another car a mail-order firm indicted for deceptive business practices
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Stricter consumer protection laws worldwide mean businesses face mounting scrutiny and potential legal repercussions for deceptive claims. Anjali Chaudhry, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 Issues concerning the scheme arise when the business utilizing it sells the data of consumers without proper consent or for deceptive purposes, as this could violate laws, the company said. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 In October, Schiff, who built her reputation as an expert in blue-chip contemporary art, admitted to defrauding clients of at least $6.4 million through a series of deceptive transactions that prosecutors have likened to a Ponzi scheme. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Mar. 2025 ActBlue stands accused by Republicans of illegally collecting money for Democrats during the 2024 election by using deceptive methods. Robert Schmad, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deceptive

Word History

Etymology

see deception

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deceptive was circa 1611

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deceptive. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

deceptive

adjective
de·​cep·​tive di-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce deceptive (audio)
: tending or having power to deceive : misleading
a deceptive appearance
deceptively adverb
deceptiveness noun

Legal Definition

deceptive

adjective
de·​cep·​tive di-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce deceptive (audio)
: tending or having capacity to deceive
deceptive trade practices
compare fraudulent, misleading

More from Merriam-Webster on deceptive

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