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Definition of Deceive
1. Verb. Be false to; be dishonest with.
Specialized synonyms: Betray, Sell, Cheat, Chisel, Shill, Flim-flam, Fob, Fox, Play A Joke On, Play A Trick On, Play Tricks, Pull A Fast One On, Trick, Befool, Fool, Gull, Betray, Cheat, Cheat On, Cuckold, Wander, Hoax, Play A Joke On, Pull Someone's Leg, Ensnare, Entrap, Frame, Set Up, Humbug
Generic synonyms: Victimise, Victimize
Derivative terms: Deception, Deception, Deceptive, Deceptive, Delusion, Delusion, Delusion, Delusive, Delusory
2. Verb. Cause someone to believe an untruth. "The insurance company deceived me when they told me they were covering my house"
Generic synonyms: Misinform, Mislead
Specialized synonyms: Impersonate, Personate, Pose, Bamboozle, Hoodwink, Lead By The Nose, Play False, Pull The Wool Over Someone's Eyes, Snow, Befool, Cod, Dupe, Fool, Gull, Put On, Put One Across, Put One Over, Slang, Take In
Derivative terms: Betrayer, Deceiver, Deception, Deceptive, Deceptive
Antonyms: Undeceive
Definition of Deceive
1. v. t. To lead into error; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true; to impose upon; to mislead; to cheat; to disappoint; to delude; to insnare.
Definition of Deceive
1. to mislead by falsehood [v -CEIVED, -CEIVING, -CEIVES]
Medical Definition of Deceive
1. 1. To lead into error; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true; to impose upon; to mislead; to cheat; to disappoint; to delude; to insnare. "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." (2 Tim. Iii. 13) "Nimble jugglers that deceive the eye." (Shak) "What can 'scape the eye Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart?" (Milton) 2. To beguile; to amuse, so as to divert the attention; to while away; to take away as if by deception. "These occupations oftentimes deceived The listless hour." (Wordsworth) 3. To deprive by fraud or stealth; to defraud. "Plant fruit trees in large borders, and set therein fine flowers, but thin and sparingly, lest they deceive the trees." (Bacon) Synonym: Deceive, Delude, Mislead. Deceive is a general word applicable to any kind of misrepresentation affecting faith or life. To delude, primarily, is to make sport of, by deceiving, and is accomplished by playing upon one's imagination or credulity, as by exciting false hopes, causing him to undertake or expect what is impracticable, and making his failure ridiculous. It implies some infirmity of judgment in the victim, and intention to deceive in the deluder. But it is often used reflexively, indicating that a person's own weakness has made him the sport of others or of fortune; as, he deluded himself with a belief that luck would always favor him. To mislead is to lead, guide, or direct in a wrong way, either willfully or ignorantly. Origin: OE. Deceveir, F. Decevoir, fr. L. Decipere to catch, insnare, deceive; de- + capere to take, catch. See Capable, and cf. Deceit, Deception. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)