Vocabulary Spotlight
Delude
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To mislead or deceive someone into believing something that is false or untrue.
“He tried to delude himself into thinking that everything was fine, despite the obvious issues.”
Pronunciation
[dih-lood]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Mislead
Trick
Fool
Beguile
Antonyms
Clarify
Enlighten
Reveal
Expose
Related Words
Delusive (adjective)
Word Origin
“Delude” originates from Latin “deludere,” meaning “to play or mock.” It has evolved to mean misleading someone through deception.
Word Family
Noun: Delusion – A false belief or impression.
Adjective: Delusive – Misleading or deceptive in nature.
Mnemonics
Think of “delude” as “delivering illusions” – deceiving someone by presenting a false belief.
Industry-specific Usage
Psychology
In psychology, delusions are false beliefs held despite evidence to the contrary, often associated with certain mental health disorders.
Advertising
False advertising may delude consumers into believing exaggerated claims about a product’s effectiveness.
Law
In law, cases of fraud often involve an attempt to delude victims with misleading information to gain their trust.
In Context
In everyday life, delusion can cause people to hold false beliefs, whether about themselves or others. The term is significant in psychology, law, and even in marketing, where deceptive tactics may delude audiences.