Words / B2

di-SEEV/dɪˈsiːv/

To deceive is to make someone believe what is not true: deceive the public; deceive yourself. Deceit and deception are related nouns. Lie is blunter; mislead is slightly softer. Portals must not deceive applicants about deadlines. Do not use deceive for an honest mistake.

Meaning

To make someone believe something that is not true.

Examples

• “The portal must not deceive applicants about the closing time.”
• “She was deceived by a cloned site, which is a common fraud sense.”

Good to know

deceive someone into -ing; deceive yourself. Nouns: deceit / deception. Blunter: lie. Softer: mislead. Consumer and exam-integrity English. Intent matters.

Near in meaning

mislead

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