delude

[dih-lood]

verb (used with object)

deluded, deluding 

1. to mislead the mind or judgment of; deceive.

   His conceit deluded him into believing he was important.

   Synonyms: gull, defraud, cheat, dupe, cozen, beguile

2. Obsolete.,  to mock or frustrate the hopes or aims of.

3. Obsolete.,  to elude; evade.

delude

/ dɪˈluːd /

verb

1. to deceive the mind or judgment of; mislead; beguile

2. rare,  to frustrate (hopes, expectations, etc)

Other Word Forms

• deluder noun
• deludingly adverb
• nondeluding adjective
• undeluding adjective
• deludable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delude¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English deluden, from Latin dēlūdere “to play false,” equivalent to dē- de- + lūdere “to play”

Word History and Origins

Origin of delude¹

C15: from Latin dēlūdere to mock, play false, from _de- + lūdere to play

Example Sentences

That was the reason the casino bothered to list the wheel’s most recent spins: to help gamblers to delude themselves.

Read more on Literature

But those who believe they will be untouched by the regime — including its supporters, as well as apolitical people and those who are “just trying to keep their heads down” — are deluding themselves.

Read more on Salon

Earl's barrister Paul Hynes KC described his client as "a sad individual" and compared him to the deluded fictional character Walter Mitty.

Read more on BBC

If he really believes that the job of making peace is done, then he is deluding himself.

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Republicans knew this was coming, but they either thought they could escape blame for it or they are so deluded they actually believe it’s what people want.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• dupe 
• hoodwink 
• misguide 
• mislead