deceit Meaning & Definition
What Does Deceit Mean?
Deceit is used as a noun meaning the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid. It is also used to mean an attempt or device to deceive.
Quick Facts About Deceit
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /di-ˈsēt/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | deception, misrepresentation and dissimulation |
| Antonyms | artlessness, forthrightness and good faith |
| Plural | deceits |
Deceit Definition (Noun)
- the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid : the act or practice of deceiving : deception
achieving one's goals through a web of deceit
- an attempt or device to deceive : trick
Her excuse turned out to be a deceit.
- the quality of being dishonest or misleading : the quality of being deceitful : deceitfulness
… far from deceit or guile.
Synonyms of Deceit
Antonyms of Deceit
Deceit in a Sentence
The whole conversation was merely a deceit.
achieving one's goals through a web of deceit
Her excuse turned out to be a deceit.
… far from deceit or guile.
a rise to power that was marked by treachery and deceit
she's completely free of deceit
Word Forms & Grammar
deceit
deceits
deceit (countable and uncountable, plural deceits)
Words That Rhyme With Deceit
Origin of Deceit
Origin 1: Middle English deceite, from Anglo-French, from Latin decepta, feminine of deceptus, past participle of decipere see deceive
Origin 2: From Middle English deceyte, from Old French deceite, deçoite, from decevoir (“to deceive”), from Latin dēcipere (“to cheat, mislead”).
First Known Use
14th century
How Do You Say Deceit?
The standard pronunciation of deceit is /di-ˈsēt/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (sēt).
Deceit: Your Questions Answered
What part of speech is deceit?
Deceit is a noun.
What is another word for deceit?
Words with a similar meaning to deceit include deception, misrepresentation and dissimulation. See the full list of deceit synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of deceit?
Antonyms of deceit include artlessness, forthrightness, good faith and guilelessness.
What is the plural of deceit?
The plural of deceit is deceits.