Vocabulary Spotlight
Deception
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: The act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid; an instance of deceiving or tricking.
“She felt hurt after discovering his deception about his past.”
Pronunciation
[dih-sep-shuhn]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Fraud
Misrepresentation
Deceit
Trickery
Antonyms
Truthfulness
Sincerity
Integrity
Transparency
Related Words
Deceptive (adjective)
Illusion (noun)
Word Origin
“Deception” comes from the Latin “deceptionem,” meaning “a deceiving or cheating.” It entered English in the 14th century to describe the act of misleading someone.
Word Family
Verb: Deceive – To mislead or cause someone to believe something untrue.
Adjective: Deceptive – Tending to mislead or give a false impression.
Noun: Deceiver – One who practices deception.
Mnemonics
Think of “Deception” as “Decept + ion” – the act of “deceiving” or misleading someone.
Another mnemonic: Picture a magician creating illusions or “deceptions” to trick the audience.
Industry-specific Usage
Psychology
In psychology, deception is studied to understand motives and consequences, especially in relation to trust.
Law
In legal contexts, deception can constitute fraud or misrepresentation, both of which are punishable offenses.
Marketing
In marketing, deceptive advertising practices are regulated to prevent misleading claims to consumers.
In Context
Deception plays a role in social interactions, with both ethical and unethical implications. In everyday life, people may deceive to protect others or for self-interest, but in professional contexts, deception can lead to serious consequences.