duplicitous

American  

[doo-plis-i-tuhs, dyoo-] / duˈplɪs ɪ təs, dyu- /

adjective

1. marked or characterized by duplicity.

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Usage

What does duplicitous mean? Duplicitous is used to describe someone who intentionally misleads people, especially by saying different things to different people or acting in different ways at different times. The word can also describe the actions of such a person. A close synonym is deceitful. A more informal synonym is double-dealing (which can also be used as a noun). To be duplicitous is to engage in duplicity, which refers to the practice of misleading someone in this way, to the quality of a person who does this, or to an instance of such deception. People who are liars are duplicitous. The word is based on the idea of presenting two or more different versions of oneself or of a situation. Fittingly, duplicitous people are often accused of being two-faced or of “speaking out of both sides of their mouth.” This typically means that they say different things to different people (in other words, they lie) in order to serve their agenda. Less commonly, duplicitous can describe something that has two elements or parts. This sense of duplicitous does not have the same negative implication as the primary sense of the word. Example: I’ve never met someone more duplicitous—he says one thing and then turns around and says the complete opposite, barely trying to conceal the lie.

Other Word Forms

• duplicitously adverb

Etymology

Origin of duplicitous

First recorded in 1955–60; duplicit(y) + -ous

Explanation

That guy in the drama club who tells everyone he hates organized sports one day and then joins the football team the next? He's being duplicitous, or pretending to have feelings that his actions contradict. In duplicitous, you can see the word duplicity, which means "doubleness." Someone who is duplicitous is almost like two people, saying one thing but then doing something very different, even contradictory. Someone who is duplicitous can also be called "two-faced," a vivid way to remember that this person shouldn't be trusted or taken at face value.

Example Sentences

The actor could easily put his skills to use playing a duplicitous sociopath in a psychological drama, but as a comedy “Killing” is simply dead.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

It’s at these very junctures that the archetypes of the unconscious can do their greatest mischief, shifting what at one moment is experienced as a benevolent parent into a duplicitous one.

From Slate • Sep. 8, 2024

Even as Smirnov was being paid as a government informant, he participated in duplicitous business schemes, according to court records and interviews.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 2, 2024

"We failed in our duty of care to these people. These decisions were unlawful. The MoD knew they were unlawful but have just tried to delay the inevitable. They've been duplicitous."

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2024

I stand, frozen by how duplicitous my life has become.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Related Words

• cheating
• deceitful
• dishonest