What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tricking
Example
He tricked his friend into thinking he won the lottery. [tricked: past tense]
Example
She is good at tricking people into revealing their secrets. [tricking: present participle]
deception
Example
The company was accused of deception in their advertising campaign. [deception: noun]
Example
He used deception to cheat his way to the top. [deception: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deception is a more commonly used word than tricking in everyday language. Deception is a serious and formal word that is often used in legal or business contexts, while tricking is a more informal and playful word that is used in social situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tricking and deception?
Deception is a more formal word than tricking. It is often used in serious or professional contexts, while tricking is more commonly used in casual or social situations.