hoodwink

[hood-wingk]

verb (used with object)

1. to deceive or trick.

   Synonyms: gyp, swindle, cheat, dupe

2. Archaic.,  to blindfold.

3. Obsolete.,  to cover or hide.

hoodwink

/ ˈhʊdˌwɪŋk /

verb

1. to dupe; trick

2. obsolete,  to cover or hide

Other Word Forms

• hoodwinkable adjective
• hoodwinker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoodwink¹

First recorded in 1555–65; hood ¹ + wink ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoodwink¹

C16: originally, to cover the eyes with a hood, blindfold

Example Sentences

At this stage of the season I can get hoodwinked a bit because I have covered some teams when they have played well, and it means I overlook some of their opposition's qualities.

From BBC

Facts are usually avoided when fiction gives us solace in our mediocrity, or when it gives us camouflage to hoodwink others.

From Salon

She said Joshua's "hoodwinking of innocent people" must "come into the light".

From BBC

I was hoodwinked in a similar way to the British-Ghanaian teenager who recently took his parents to the High Court in London for sending him to school in Ghana.

From BBC

It soon became apparent that my name and image were being used by scammers to try to hoodwink people out of money.

From BBC

Related Words

• bamboozle 
• bilk 
• defraud 
• dupe 
• mislead 
• swindle 
• victimize