What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deceitful
Example
She was deceitful in her attempts to gain power. [deceitful: adjective]
Example
His deceitful behavior caused many people to lose trust in him. [deceitful: adjective]
dishonest
Example
He was dishonest about his qualifications on his resume. [dishonest: adjective]
Example
Her dishonesty caused her to lose her job. [dishonesty: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dishonest is more commonly used than deceitful in everyday language. Dishonest is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while deceitful is less common and refers to a more specific type of dishonesty.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deceitful and dishonest?
Both deceitful and dishonest are typically associated with an informal tone. However, dishonest is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
