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adj

deceptive

dih-SEHP-tihv
adj
1
Likely to mislead or intended to create a false impression.
"The packaging was deceptive, making the product look bigger than it was."
"His calm expression was deceptive — inside he was furious."

How to Use Deceptive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMisleading — giving a false impression, whether on purpose or not.

Common pairings
deceptive advertising deceptively simple a deceptive appearance

Word Forms

more deceptive comparative, most deceptive superlative

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The packaging was _____, making the product look bigger than it was.

Etymology

From Latin deceptivus, from decipere, "to deceive."

Related Words

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial