Delude

Delude is a transitive verb meaning to cause someone to believe something that is not true, or to mislead. It is used with into or that clauses, as in “to delude someone into believing the product is of high quality” or “to delude the public about the risks.” The word often carries a moral judgment, implying manipulation or deception rather than a simple mistake.

The reflexive form, delude oneself, means to mislead one’s own mind, leading to self-deception, as in “He deluded himself into thinking he could retire early.” Etymology: from Latin deludere, de- (away) + ludere (to play, mock), originally meaning to mock or deceive.

In psychology, delusion refers to a fixed, false belief that persists despite contrary evidence; the noun is distinct from the verb, which denotes the act of deceiving another or oneself. In everyday use, delude often signals manipulation or unfounded claims, particularly in journalism, politics, or interpersonal conduct.

See also: delusion, deception, mislead, self-deception, hoodwink.