Deceptions: meaning, definitions and examples

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deceptions

 

[dษชหˆsษ›pสƒษ™nz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in relationships

Deceptions refer to the act of deceiving someone, typically by hiding or distorting the truth in order to mislead or manipulate them. Deceptions can take various forms, such as lies, false promises, or withholding important information.

Synonyms

dishonesty, fraud, lies.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deceptions

Use this word when talking about acts or practices intended to deceive someone. It can be applied in both personal and professional contexts.

  • The magician's act was filled with clever deceptions.
  • The company's success was built on deceptions and manipulation.
lies

Lies refer to straightforward false statements made intentionally. This is a common term for everyday situations involving untruths.

  • He told lies to avoid getting punished.
  • Spreading lies can hurt relationships.
dishonesty

This word is suitable when referring to general untruthful behavior or lack of integrity. It applies to both minor and significant breaches of trust.

  • His dishonesty cost him many friends.
  • Dishonesty in academia can result in severe consequences.
fraud

Fraud is used in legal and financial contexts, where there's deliberate deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain. It carries a serious and often criminal connotation.

  • She was arrested for tax fraud.
  • Investment fraud has ruined countless lives.

Examples of usage

  • He was hurt by her deceptions and betrayal.
  • The deceptions of the con artist were finally exposed.
  • She saw through his deceptions and refused to be fooled.
Context #2 | Noun

in magic tricks

Deceptions in magic tricks involve creating illusions or misdirection to make the audience believe something that is not true. Magicians use deceptions to entertain and surprise their audience by manipulating their perception.

Synonyms

illusions, sleight of hand, trickery.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sleight of hand

Commonly used in the context of magic, referring to the skillful use of hands to perform tricks.

  • The magician amazed the audience with his sleight of hand.
  • His sleight of hand was so quick that no one noticed the coin switch.
trickery

Used to describe the act of using tricks to deceive someone. Usually has a negative connotation.

  • He was known for his trickery in card games.
  • The politician's trickery caused a scandal.

Examples of usage

  • The magician's skillful deceptions left the audience in awe.
  • Through clever deceptions, the magician made the impossible seem possible.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Originates from the Latin word 'deceptio', meaning 'to deceive or mislead'.
  • The word has been in use since the early 14th century, gaining prominence through legal and philosophical discussions.
  • In medieval times, it often referred to the act of tricking people โ€” especially in trade or serious matters.

Psychology

  • Studies show that people often deceive unknowingly when influenced by social pressures or fear of rejection.
  • The concept of 'self-deception' allows individuals to maintain a morale or self-image by denying unpleasant truths.
  • Cognitive dissonance can create a disconnect, whereby some may rationalize deception as a means to avoid discomfort.

Pop Culture

  • The theme of deception is prevalent in literature and film, including classics like 'Othello' and movies like 'Gone Girl'.
  • Magic shows rely on deception to entertain, using tricks that challenge our perceptions and beliefs.
  • Social media can often be a platform where deception thrives, with filters and curated personas not reflecting reality.

History

  • Throughout history, deception has been a common tactic in war, such as feigned retreats or misinformation campaigns.
  • The Trojan Horse is an ancient example, where Greeks used cunning to gain entry into Troy, highlighting the power of deception in ancient strategies.
  • Political propaganda often employs deception to shape public opinion and manipulate narratives.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers like Kant examined the ethics of deception, questioning whether any form of lying could be justified.
  • In existential philosophy, deception challenges notions of authenticity and truth in individual existence.
  • Platoโ€™s Allegory of the Cave suggests that perceptions can be deceptive, urging individuals to seek deeper truths beyond appearances.

Translations

Translations of the word "deceptions" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น enganos

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคงเฅ‹เค–เคพเคงเคกเคผเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Tรคuschungen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penipuan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพะฑะผะฐะฝะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ oszustwa

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฌบ็žž

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tromperies

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ engaรฑos

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท aldatmacalar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์†์ž„์ˆ˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎุฏุงุน

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ podvody

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ podvody

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฌบ้ช—

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ prevare

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ svik

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะปะดะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒขแƒงแƒฃแƒแƒ แƒแƒ‘แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ aldatma

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ engaรฑos

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,704, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.