deceives

Deceives is the third-person singular present tense of deceive, a verb meaning to cause someone to believe something that is not true. Deception can be accomplished through false statements, misrepresentation, concealment of information, or misleading behavior. The term is often used to describe intentional actions aimed at inducing another person to accept a false belief or to act on it.

Deception can take several forms. Direct lying involves presenting a falsehood; misrepresentation involves presenting a partial or distorted truth; omission involves withholding relevant information; and nonverbal cues or framing can bias interpretation without explicit falsehood. Distinguishing deception from simple mistakes can rely on evidence of intention.

Ethical and legal perspectives treat deception differently across contexts. In many jurisdictions, deception in commercial or professional settings can amount to fraud or misrepresentation, with potential civil liability or criminal penalties. Ethically, deception is generally condemned, although some contexts may allow it as a strategic or protective measure, such as in certain negotiations or security operations, when legally permissible and proportionate.

In culture and psychology, deception is a common subject of study. It features in literature as a plot device and in political discourse as a phenomenon of misinformation. Psychologists examine both the cognitive processes behind deception and self-deception, while educators promote critical thinking and fact-checking as safeguards against manipulation.