Meaning
Deceit means the act of deceiving or lying to someone by hiding the truth or giving a false impression. It involves dishonesty intended to make others believe something that is not true.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Noun
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Uncountable/Countable: Usually uncountable, but can be countable when referring to specific acts of deception.
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Typical structure:
- "act of deceit"
- "practice of deceit"
- "full of deceit"
It is related to the verb deceive and the adjective deceitful.
Common Phrases
- Act of deceit – a deliberate attempt to mislead.
- Practice of deceit – habitual dishonesty.
- Full of deceit – completely dishonest or untrustworthy.
- Web of deceit – a complex network of lies and dishonesty.
Collocations
- commit deceit
- resort to deceit
- through deceit
- political deceit
- deceit and betrayal
Examples
- She was shocked to discover his years of deceit.
- The company was accused of deceit in its advertising campaign.
- His smile hid a web of deceit and manipulation.
- The politician’s deceit eventually led to his downfall.
- Friendship cannot survive on lies and deceit.
- The novel explores the theme of love and deceit.
- He resorted to deceit to gain the promotion.
- The deceit was so clever that no one suspected him.
- Her deceitful actions ruined the trust they once shared.
- The trial revealed a pattern of deceit spanning several years.
Synonyms or Related
- deception
- fraud
- dishonesty
- trickery
- duplicity
- falsehood
Antonym
- honesty
- truth
- sincerity
- integrity