deceive

Deceive is a verb meaning to cause someone to accept as true something that is false or not fully true. It implies intentionality: the deceiver aims to mislead, rather than merely making an error. Deception can take many forms, including false statements, deliberate omissions, misrepresentation of facts, exaggeration, or other manipulative tactics. It may be accomplished through words, gestures, or actions, and can target individuals or groups.

Etymology: deceive derives from the Latin decipere, meaning to catch or take in, from de- a prefix meaning away plus capere to take.

Usage notes: Distinctions are often made between deception and lying; lying is a form of deception in which a speaker asserts something they know to be false. Misrepresentation is deception by presenting a false impression, possibly without a direct false statement. Self-deception refers to deceiving oneself, often to avoid cognitive dissonance or uncomfortable truths.

Contexts: In law, deception is a core element of fraud and misrepresentation and can lead to civil remedies or criminal penalties. In ethics and philosophy, deception raises questions about truth-telling, trust, and social norms. Some domains, such as competitive strategy or certain advisory contexts, may employ deception under specific rules or ethical considerations, while many professional standards emphasize honesty and transparency.

See also: deceit, mislead, fraud, misinformation, concealment, self-deception, lie.