deceive

[dɪˈsiːv]

deceive Definition

  • 1to make someone believe something that is not true
  • 2to trick or mislead someone

Using deceive: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "deceive" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    He deceived me into thinking he was a doctor.

  • Example

    The company deceived its customers by selling old computers as new ones.

  • Example

    She felt deceived by his promises.

  • Example

    The magician's tricks deceived the audience.

deceive Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for deceive

Antonyms for deceive

Idioms Using deceive

  • to deceive or mislead someone, often with false promises or hopes

    Example

    He led her up the garden path with promises of love and commitment, only to break her heart in the end.

  • pull the wool over someone's eyes

    to deceive or trick someone

    Example

    He thought he could pull the wool over my eyes, but I knew exactly what he was up to.

  • to deceive or cheat someone

    Example

    Don't trust him; he's just trying to take you for a ride.

Phrases with deceive

  • self-deception

    the act of deceiving oneself or the state of being deceived by oneself

    Example

    His self-deception about his abilities led to his downfall.

  • to believe something that is not true, often in order to feel better about a situation

    Example

    She deceived herself into thinking that he would change his mind.

  • to be different from what one appears to be

    Example

    The house may look small from the outside, but it deceives appearances; it's actually quite spacious inside.

Origins of deceive

from Old French 'deceivre', from Latin 'decipere', meaning 'to ensnare, catch, cheat'

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Summary: deceive in Brief

To deceive [dɪˈsiːv] means to make someone believe something that is not true or to trick or mislead someone. It can refer to situations like being deceived by a magician's tricks or a company selling old computers as new ones. Phrases like 'deceive oneself' and 'deceive appearances' denote self-deception or situations where things are not what they seem. Idioms like 'lead someone up the garden path' and 'pull the wool over someone's eyes' describe situations where someone is deceived or tricked.

How do native speakers use this expression?