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DictionarydeceitDeliberate dishonesty
noun

deceit

di-SEET/dɪˈsiːt/

Dishonest behavior intended to mislead someone.

His hidden extra ace reveals deceit during the card game.

During a card game for stakes, a man secretly slips an extra ace from his sleeve into his playing hand while his opponent watches the table.
Etymology
deLatinfrom; negative force
+ceitLatinto take

The underlying image is of “taking in” or ensnaring someone, with de- meaning “from” or adding a negative force. Deceit names the trickery or misleading behavior involved.

In context

NewsNation2:14
THIS IS AN UNLIKELY PAIR CAUGHT UP IN A WEB OF LIES AND DECEIT. SHE HAD EVERYONE FOOLED.
Inside the escape and manhunt for inmate Casey White, officer Vicky White | NewsNation PRIME Special

More examples

  • She uncovered the deceit.
  • The plan depended on deceit.
  • They condemned his deceit.

Forms

deceit

deceitful adjective — deliberately misleading

Similar words

deception
The broader act of misleading.
dishonesty
Includes other failures of truthfulness besides deliberate misleading.