What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hoax
Example
He tried to hoax his friends by pretending to be a famous celebrity. [hoax: verb]
Example
The news about the alien invasion turned out to be a hoax. [hoax: noun]
deceive
Example
She deceived her boss by taking credit for someone else's work. [deceived: past tense]
Example
The magician's tricks were so convincing that he was able to deceive the audience. [deceive: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deceive is more commonly used than hoax in everyday language. Deceive is a broader term that covers a wider range of contexts, while hoax is less common and refers to a specific type of deception.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hoax and deceive?
Both hoax and deceive are generally associated with an informal tone. However, deceive can be used in formal contexts, while hoax is typically used in casual or humorous situations.
