Meaning & use
deceptive
Giving a false or misleading impression, whether intentionally or not.
See it in a sentence
The label's tiny print was deceptive, hiding the product's true sugar content.
Appearances can be deceptive; the calm lake hid dangerous currents beneath its surface.
A note on using this word
Deceptive can describe dishonest intent or simply a situation that misleads without anyone meaning to, as in 'deceptively simple.'
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
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