What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disingenuous
Example
His apology seemed disingenuous and insincere. [disingenuous: adjective]
Example
She was being disingenuous when she acted like she didn't know what was going on. [disingenuous: adjective]
deceitful
Example
He was caught in a deceitful act and lost his job. [deceitful: adjective]
Example
She has a deceitful nature and cannot be trusted. [deceitful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deceitful is more commonly used than disingenuous in everyday language. Deceitful is a more straightforward term that covers a wider range of contexts, while disingenuous is a more nuanced term that is used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disingenuous and deceitful?
Both disingenuous and deceitful are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts. However, deceitful is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while disingenuous is more commonly used in formal writing or speech.
