duplicitous
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Deceitful, two-faced: Characterized by deliberate deception, especially by pretending to have one set of feelings, beliefs, or intentions while acting under the influence of another. It implies a fundamental dishonesty and a willingness to mislead others for personal gain or advantage.
Usage
The adjective "duplicitous" is used to describe a person, their behavior, or their nature. It is a formal and strong term of criticism, suggesting a calculated and morally reprehensible form of dishonesty. It often implies a betrayal of trust.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The politician's duplicitous nature was revealed when his private statements contradicted his public promises.
- She grew tired of his duplicitous behavior, never knowing if he was being sincere.
- A duplicitous character in the novel secretly worked for both rival families.
Advanced Usage
- "Duplicitous conduct/behavior": Actions that are intentionally deceptive.
- The lawyer was disbarred for duplicitous conduct during the trial.
- "Proved to be duplicitous": Was revealed to be deceptive.
- The ally proved to be duplicitous, sharing our secrets with the enemy.
Variants and Related Words
- Duplicity (n): The state or quality of being duplicitous; deceitfulness, double-dealing.
- His duplicity eventually cost him all his friends.
- Duplicitously (adv): In a duplicitous manner.
- He duplicitously agreed to the plan while secretly sabotaging it.
Synonyms
- Deceitful: Misleading others.
- Two-faced: Insincere and deceitful.
- Double-dealing: Cheating or betraying by acting in two contradictory ways.
- Hypocritical: Pretending to have virtues or beliefs that one does not actually possess.
- Perfidious: Disloyal, treacherous (a more literary synonym).
Antonyms
- Honest: Truthful and sincere.
- Forthright: Direct and straightforward.
- Guileless: Innocent and without deception.
- Sincere: Genuine in feeling or belief.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To be two-faced: To be duplicitous. (This is a more common, informal equivalent).
- I don't trust him; I think he's two-faced.
- To speak with a forked tongue: To lie or be deliberately deceptive. (Often used in a literary or historical context).
- The ambassador was accused of speaking with a forked tongue.
Adjective
- marked by deliberate deceptiveness especially by pretending one set of feelings and acting under the influence of another
- she was a deceitful scheming little thing- Israel Zangwill
- a double-dealing double agent
- a double-faced infernal traitor and schemer- W.M.Thackeray