deceive

Pronunciation: /dɪˈsiːv/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb be false to; be dishonest with
  2. verb cause someone to believe an untruth

Etymology

From Middle English deceyven, from Anglo-Norman deceivre, from Latin dēcipiō (“to deceive; beguile; entrap”), from dē- (“from”) + capiō (“to seize”); see captive. Compare conceive, perceive, receive. Displaced native Old English beswīcan.

In classic literature

Synonyms

lead on, delude, cozen

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
victimize
Narrower (hyponyms)
shill, cheat on, hoax, betray, cheat, humbug

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