deceive
/di'si:v/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To cause someone to believe something that is not true: To intentionally make someone accept a false idea or impression.
- To be dishonest with someone: To act in a way that betrays trust by concealing the truth or presenting false information.
Usage
- The verb "deceive" is transitive and requires an object (the person being deceived). It is often used in contexts involving trickery, fraud, or betrayal of trust.
- Common structures: "deceive someone," "deceive someone into doing something."
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "to deceive oneself": To refuse to acknowledge a truth or reality; to be in denial.
- If you think you can pass the exam without studying, you are deceiving yourself.
- Deceptive (adj): Misleading or giving a false impression.
- The pond's calm surface was deceptive; the water was actually very deep and dangerous.
Variants and Related Words
- Deceiver (n): A person who deceives.
- The politician was exposed as a liar and a deceiver.
- Deception (n): The act or result of deceiving.
- The magician's act was based on clever deception.
Synonyms
- Mislead: To cause someone to have a wrong idea or impression.
- Trick: To deceive someone as a joke or in order to get something.
- Delude: To impose a misleading belief upon someone, often over a longer period.
Phrasal Verbs / Related Constructions
- "deceive into": To trick or persuade someone to do something by deceiving them.
- The scam artists deceived the investors into giving them all their money.
Related Idioms
- Appearances can be deceptive: What seems true based on initial observation may not be the reality.
- The small, quiet town seemed peaceful, but appearances can be deceptive; it had a high crime rate.
Verb
- cause someone to believe an untruth
- The insurance company deceived me when they told me they were covering my house
- be false to; be dishonest with