Deception: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：the act of deceiving (deception)

deception 🔊

/dɪˈsepʃn/

The act of making someone believe something that is not true, usually to get something you want.

Deception illustrated by a person with a sincere face but evasive eyes, speaking to a trusting listener.

the act of deceiving 🔊

➕

/ði ækt əv dɪˈsiːvɪŋ/

The act, process, or practice of deliberately causing someone to accept as true or valid something that is false or invalid.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'decipere' (to deceive). The root 'de-' (away) + 'capere' (to take), literally 'to take away'. The noun form denotes the act.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'deception' and 'perception': a deception corrupts your perception (makes you see what's not true).

📖 Example

The magician's deception was so clever that the entire audience gasped in disbelief when the rabbit disappeared. 🔊 The act of tricking performed by the magician was executed with such skill that it left the whole crowd astonished and doubting their own eyes when the rabbit vanished.

🔗 Collocations

practise deception – to carry out an act of tricking someone

deception and trickery – dishonest methods used to cheat people

visual deception – an illusion that tricks the eyes

🔄 Synonyms

deceit (n.) – The action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth.

trickery (n.) – The practice of using tricks to deceive or cheat people.

fraud (n.) – Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.

🚫 Antonyms

honesty (n.) – The quality of being truthful and free from deceit.

truthfulness (n.) – The fact of being honest and not containing or telling any lies.

candor (n.) – The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.

🌱 Derivatives

deceptive (adj.) – Giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading.

deceptively (adv.) – In a way that is misleading or not truly as it appears.

deceive (v.) – To cause someone to believe something that is not true, typically in order to gain some personal advantage.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'deception' originates from the Latin 'deceptio', from the verb 'decipere' meaning to deceive. Historically, the concept is central to strategy (e.g., the Trojan Horse) and law (e.g., the legal definition of fraud).