Duped Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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duped

[duหpt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

deceive someone

To dupe someone means to deceive them into believing something that is not true. This often involves tricking or misleading someone for personal gain or amusement. Duping can take various forms, from simple tricks to complex scams.

Synonyms

deceive, defraud, fool, mislead, trick.

Examples of usage

  • He was duped into buying a fake watch.
  • She duped her friends into thinking she was rich.
  • The con artist duped many unsuspecting victims.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Cognitive biases often play a role in how people can be duped; for example, confirmation bias can lead individuals to ignore evidence that contradicts their beliefs.
  • People are more likely to be duped when they are under stress or when their attention is divided, indicating that emotional state affects vulnerability.

Pop Culture

  • Magicians and illusionists often use concepts of being duped in their acts, creating illusions that trick the audience into seeing things that arenโ€™t there.
  • The concept of being duped is a common theme in literature and film, where characters often face betrayal or deception, highlighting the human experience.

Literature

  • William Shakespeareโ€™s plays often involve characters being duped, showcasing themes of deception and mistaken identity.
  • Modern novels frequently explore the consequences of being duped, placing characters in situations that reveal their naivety or trust in others.

Technology

  • In the digital age, 'phishing' scams are a modern way people can be duped, where attackers impersonate trustworthy entities to steal personal information.
  • Cybersecurity measures are increasingly important as more individuals fall victim to being duped by misleading online advertisements or fake news.

Origin of 'duped'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'duped' comes from the verb 'dupe', which has roots in the French word 'duper', meaning to deceive or cheat.
  • It first appeared in the English language in the early 18th century, highlighting how words evolve to describe human behavior.

The term 'duped' comes from the verb 'dupe', which originated from the early 19th century. It is believed to derive from the French word 'duper', which means 'to deceive' or 'to cheat'. The French 'duper' itself is derived from the obsolete word 'dupe', which referred to a person easily deceived or misled. The evolution of the word reflects the human tendency to manipulate and trick others for personal gain, a practice that has been part of social interactions throughout history. Over time, 'dupe' transitioned from referring to a person to the action of deceiving itself, solidifying its place in English vocabulary as a term denoting the act of dishonest persuasion.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,749, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.