Deluded: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when someone holds false or unrealistic beliefs, often due to self-deception or being misled. This term often implies a strong degree of self-deception.

• She was deluded into thinking she could win the competition without any preparation
• He was deluded by his own ambitions

Use when someone has good intentions but is following a wrong or inappropriate path or idea due to poor judgment or misinformation. This term often suggests well-meaning but incorrect actions.

• Her misguided efforts to help only made things worse
• The government's misguided policy led to unintended consequences

Use when someone has been led to believe something that is not true, often due to someone else's actions or misinformation. It implies being directed the wrong way.

• He was misled by fake news articles
• The students were misled by incorrect information in the textbook

Use when someone has been tricked or lied to by another person. It is often used in a passive sense and carries the implication of being the victim of deception.

• He was deceived by the con artist's promises
• She deceived her friend into believing that the rumor was true

This word is used when someone is firmly holding a false belief, often despite evidence to the contrary. It has a negative connotation and suggests a significant disconnect from reality.

• He was deluded into thinking he could win the lottery by buying just one ticket.
• She remained deluded about his feelings for her, even after he told her he wasn't interested.

This word is appropriate when someone has good intentions but is following incorrect or ill-advised actions or beliefs. It suggests a lack of proper direction rather than malice.

• Her misguided attempt to help only made things worse.
• He joined the protest out of misguided loyalty to his friend.

Use this word when someone has been led to believe something that is not true, often due to incorrect or deceptive information. It can imply intentional deception but is less strong than 'deceived'.

• The public was misled by the false reports in the media.
• She felt misled about the job's requirements after she started working there.

Use this word when someone has been deliberately tricked or misled by another person. It implies intentional dishonesty and has a negative connotation.

• The tourists felt deceived after discovering that the 'luxury' hotel was actually a run-down building.
• He deceived his friends into investing in his fraudulent scheme.