noun
-
the act of deceiving or the state of being deceived
-
something that deceives; trick
Usage
What does deception mean? Deception is the act or practice of deceiving—lying, misleading, or otherwise hiding or distorting the truth. The related word deceit often means the same thing. Deception 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 deception. People can even engage in self-deception by avoiding the truth. The word deception often implies a pattern of behavior, rather than a one-time act. The adjective deceptive can describe something that deceives or is intended to deceive. A person who engages in deception can be described as deceitful. Less commonly, the word deception can refer to an action, scheme, or trick intended to deceive, as in It was a clever deception, but I didn’t fall for it. Example: I’m sick of your constant lying and deception—I can’t trust anything you say!
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of deception
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English decepcioun, from Old French, from Late Latin dēceptiōn-, stem of dēceptiō “deceitfulness,” from Latin dēcept(us) “deceived” (past participle of dēcipere; see deceive) + -iō -ion
Explanation
Deception is a trick or scheme used to get what you want, like the deception you used to get your sister to agree to do all your chores for a month. Deception occurs when you deceive, a word that comes from the Latin de- meaning "from" and capere, meaning "to take." When you deceive someone, the result may be taking — like items you don't really need from people willing to give them, believing they are helping you. You may have heard the phrase "take someone for a ride." That's a way of describing deception.
Vocabulary lists containing deception
A Web of Lies
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Smoke and Mirrors: The Lingo of Illusion and Deception
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Nolan reinvents him as a naive young soldier left outside the horse to sell Odysseus’ deception.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
It brought some criticism from supporters, but was another example of deception never being part of Keegan's character, allowing Liverpool time to line up Kenny Dalglish as his replacement.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
“Excluding candidates who engage in deception in their efforts to appear on the ballot is hardly new,” Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller recently wrote.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
How a master of deception conned investors out of $50 million — in his own words.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026
That moment came in 1781, thanks to two weapons of the invisible army: deception and the Culper Ring.
From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen
How can anyone trust evidence produced by people who openly brag about their digital deceptions?
From Salon ● Jan. 24, 2026
Through a series of deceptions, an associate of Doyle’s diverted it to Matthiesen instead without the intended expert finding out.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 11, 2026
This time it was Elsie's failing health that kept him out of prison and he stayed quiet until her death in 2002 before the deceptions dangerously escalated.
From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2025
She also pointed out that, in addition to the DOJ lawyers’ deceptions, at least six witnesses for the government in this case were “unprepared or defiant in their refusal to answer questions,” including ICE officials.
From Slate ● Dec. 12, 2025
More important, everywhere they went, they had to keep explaining the weird set of mistakes and missteps and deceptions that had caused the destruction of both rulers.
From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
