Deceitful Meaning and Definition
Deceitful
Pronunciation
/ˈdiːsɪtfʊl/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
A person or thing that is deceitful is one that is intentionally dishonest, misleading, or untruthful, often to achieve a goal or gain an advantage.
Examples
- The company’s deceitful marketing tactics were exposed by the regulators.
- The politician was accused of being deceitful in his campaign promises.
Synonyms
- Deceptive
- New-fangled
- Dishonest
Antonyms
- Honest
- Sincere
- Transparent
Etymology
The word “deceitful” comes from the Latin “deceit”, meaning “deception” or “trick”, and the suffix “-ful”, which forms an adjective indicating a quality or state.
Usage Notes
When using “deceitful” as an adjective, it is often descriptive of a person’s behavior, action, or speech. Be cautious when using this word, as it can be a strong accusation.
Cultural References
Examples of “deceitful” can be seen in literature and film, such as the villainous characters in detective stories or the duplicitous nature of some politicians.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“It’s deceitful to claim it’s not there when you know it is” or “He’s being deceitful about the real reason he quit the job”.
Related Words or Phrases
Deceptive, dishonest, misleading, fake, fraudulent, false.
Collocations
Deceitful tactics, deceitful lies, deceitful actions.
Frequency of Use
“Deceitful” is a relatively infrequent word in everyday language, often used in formal or professional contexts to describe intentional dishonesty or misleading behavior.
Common Misspellings
Deceitful, decteful, deceitfull, deceitil.