deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv 
: tending or having power to cause someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid : tending or having power to deceive
a deceptive appearance
a pitcher with a deceptive windup
deceptively
adverb
deceptiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of deceptive in a Sentence
in his deceptive answer about the vehicle's history, the salesman said that the used car had never been hit by another car
a mail-order firm indicted for deceptive business practices
Recent Examples on the Web
However, many of the American tanks spotted from the air were actually 93-pound inflatable dummies, part of a special battalion that also transmitted fake radio calls and broadcast deceptive audio over loudspeakers simulating the movements of tanks.
—
Tony Dokoupil, CBS News, 6 June 2024
Weaver brings a deceptive diffidence to Shelly, and Coleman is suitably enigmatic as V. Stiviano, a paragon of modern fameosexual ambition.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 3 June 2024
Authorities said the area is known for its deceptive terrain, but that there is a lack of respect for nature.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 28 May 2024
More of the immigrants that would have avoided arrest are now being caught or are surrendering to border agents, giving a deceptive impression of the extent of the spike.
—Rafael Perez, Orange County Register, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for deceptive 
Tony Dokoupil, CBS News, 6 June 2024
Weaver brings a deceptive diffidence to Shelly, and Coleman is suitably enigmatic as V. Stiviano, a paragon of modern fameosexual ambition.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 3 June 2024
Authorities said the area is known for its deceptive terrain, but that there is a lack of respect for nature.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 28 May 2024
More of the immigrants that would have avoided arrest are now being caught or are surrendering to border agents, giving a deceptive impression of the extent of the spike.
—Rafael Perez, Orange County Register, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for deceptive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deceptive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Deceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deceptive. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv
: tending or having power to deceive : misleading
a deceptive appearance
deceptively
adverb
deceptiveness
noun
Legal Definition
deceptive
adjective
de·cep·tive
di-ˈsep-tiv
: tending or having capacity to deceive
deceptive trade practices
compare fraudulent, misleading
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