Bluffing: meaning, definitions and examples

A term often used in games or negotiations when someone is pretending to have a stronger position or better hand than they actually do.

• During the poker game, he was just bluffing to make you fold your hand.
• She pretended to know the answer, but she was bluffing the whole time.

Used when someone intentionally tries to make another person believe something that is not true. Often used in a more formal context and can have a negative connotation.

• He tried to deceive his boss by exaggerating his achievements.
• The advertisement deceived customers into thinking the product was more effective than it actually was.

Indicates causing someone to have a wrong idea or impression. While similar to deceive, it may not always imply intent to harm, but rather to cause confusion or misunderstanding.

• The poorly worded instructions mislead many users.
• He didn't mean to mislead her, but his vague explanation caused confusion.

A broad term used to describe any act meant to deceive, amuse, or outsmart someone. This can range from harmless pranks to more serious deceptions.

• He played a trick on his friend by hiding his car keys.
• The magician performed several tricks that amazed the audience.

Applied when someone is tricked or fooled, typically in a way that is considered unfair or not right. This word often carries a negative connotation, emphasizing the innocence or naivety of the person being tricked.

• The scam artist duped them into paying for a fake vacation.
• She felt angry and embarrassed after realizing she had been duped by the fake seller.

Used when someone is trying to deceive others by making them believe something that is not true, especially to gain an advantage or avoid danger. Often used in games and negotiations.

• He was bluffing about having a strong hand in the poker game
• The workers were just bluffing to get better pay

Used when someone acts as if something is true when it is not. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, and can refer to a wide range of scenarios including games, storytelling, and deception.

• The children pretended to be pirates
• He pretended to like the gift even though he didn't

Used when someone pretends to have a feeling, injury, or condition. Often used in contexts where there is an intention to deceive subtly, especially about emotions or physical states.

• He feigned illness to avoid going to school
• She feigned surprise when she found out about the party

Used when someone creates something that appears genuine but is actually not. This can apply to objects, information, or behavior. It often carries a negative connotation.

• She bought a fake designer handbag
• He was accused of selling fake concert tickets

Used when someone creates false information or objects, often implying a level of skill and intent to deceive. Commonly used in contexts like evidence, documents, or stories.

• The journalist was caught fabricating news stories
• The company fabricated data to appear more profitable

Bluffing is often used in situations where someone pretends to have a stronger position or better hand than they actually do, commonly seen in games like poker or negotiation settings.

• He was bluffing about having a full hand in poker to make the other players fold.
• She tried bluffing her way through the meeting, hoping no one would question her.

Deception involves intentionally misleading someone to believe something that is not true. It is used in broader, often more serious scenarios such as fraud, lying, or espionage.

• The company's deception about their financial status misled many investors.
• He discovered the deception only after it was too late.

Pretense involves creating a false appearance or claim, often to deceive or impress others. It can be used in social settings or literature.

• Under the pretense of friendship, he gathered secrets about his colleagues.
• Their kindness was a mere pretense to gain his trust.

Pretending is used when someone is acting as if something is true when it is not, often in everyday scenarios or play. It can be playful or deceptive depending on the situation.

• The children were pretending to be pirates during recess.
• He was pretending to be asleep when his mom checked on him.

Feint is primarily used in combat or sports contexts, where it refers to a misleading move designed to distract or mislead an opponent.

• The boxer’s feint made his opponent move in the wrong direction.
• The soccer player’s feint left the defender off balance, allowing him to score.