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Some common synonyms of double-dealing<\/em> are deception<\/em><\/a>, fraud<\/em><\/a>, subterfuge<\/em><\/a>, and trickery<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives,\" double-dealing<\/em> suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.<\/p>

\/\/ a go-between suspected of double-dealing<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'deception' be a better fit than 'double-dealing'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of deception<\/em><\/a> and double-dealing<\/em> largely overlap; however, deception<\/em> may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.<\/p>

\/\/ magicians are masters of deception<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'fraud' a more appropriate choice than 'double-dealing'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to double-dealing<\/em>, fraud<\/em><\/a> always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.<\/p>

\/\/ indicted for fraud<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'subterfuge' be used to replace 'double-dealing'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms subterfuge<\/em><\/a> and double-dealing<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but subterfuge<\/em> suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.<\/p>

\/\/ obtained the papers by subterfuge<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'trickery' be a good substitute for 'double-dealing'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words trickery<\/em><\/a> and double-dealing<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, trickery<\/em> implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.<\/p>

\/\/ resorted to trickery<\/em> to gain their ends<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the noun 'double-dealing' differ from other similar words?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of double-dealing<\/em> are deception<\/em><\/a>, fraud<\/em><\/a>, subterfuge<\/em><\/a>, and trickery<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives,\" double-dealing<\/em> suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.<\/p>

\/\/ a go-between suspected of double-dealing<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'deception' be a better fit than 'double-dealing'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of deception<\/em><\/a> and double-dealing<\/em> largely overlap; however, deception<\/em> may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.<\/p>

\/\/ magicians are masters of deception<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'fraud' a more appropriate choice than 'double-dealing'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to double-dealing<\/em>, fraud<\/em><\/a> always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.<\/p>

\/\/ indicted for fraud<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'subterfuge' be used to replace 'double-dealing'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms subterfuge<\/em><\/a> and double-dealing<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but subterfuge<\/em> suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.<\/p>

\/\/ obtained the papers by subterfuge<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'trickery' be a good substitute for 'double-dealing'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words trickery<\/em><\/a> and double-dealing<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, trickery<\/em> implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.<\/p>

\/\/ resorted to trickery<\/em> to gain their ends<\/p>" } } ] }

double-dealing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of double-dealingnext
1
as in fraudulent
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value double-dealing business practices that are being investigated by the state's attorney general

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in double
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express the double-dealing salesman never told me that the car had been in an accident and repaired

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception the double-dealing team owners were pitting the two cities against one another, both of whom badly wanted the franchise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

double-dealing

2 of 2

noun

ËŒdÉ™-bÉ™l-ˈdÄ“-liÅ‹ How to pronounce double-dealing (audio)
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery a go-between suspected of double-dealing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun double-dealing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of double-dealing are deception, fraud, subterfuge, and trickery. While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

When might deception be a better fit than double-dealing?

The meanings of deception and double-dealing largely overlap; however, deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

When is fraud a more appropriate choice than double-dealing?

While in some cases nearly identical to double-dealing, fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

When could subterfuge be used to replace double-dealing?

The synonyms subterfuge and double-dealing are sometimes interchangeable, but subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.

obtained the papers by subterfuge

When would trickery be a good substitute for double-dealing?

In some situations, the words trickery and double-dealing are roughly equivalent. However, trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

How does the noun double-dealing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of double-dealing are deception, fraud, subterfuge, and trickery. While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

When might deception be a better fit than double-dealing?

The meanings of deception and double-dealing largely overlap; however, deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

When is fraud a more appropriate choice than double-dealing?

While in some cases nearly identical to double-dealing, fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

When could subterfuge be used to replace double-dealing?

The synonyms subterfuge and double-dealing are sometimes interchangeable, but subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.

obtained the papers by subterfuge

When would trickery be a good substitute for double-dealing?

In some situations, the words trickery and double-dealing are roughly equivalent. However, trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of double-dealing
Adjective
The notion of reputational damage is alien to someone whose image was long ago tarnished beyond repair by grifting, lying, bullying, and double-dealing. —Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
But that rhetoric sounded hollow in the face of its dalliance with a drug-smuggling double-dealing despot like Noriega. —Time, 25 Nov. 2025 Making his Broadway debut, Burr is a cyclone as the fast-talking, double-dealing Dave Moss, who springs a plan to steal the leads on his unwilling accomplice, George Aaronow (McKean, drolly exasperated). —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025 Mullen's righthand man, Roger Carlson (Jesse Plemons), was double-dealing with billionaire Robert Lyndon (Clark Gregg), who ultimately ordered a hit on him in Episode 4. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2025 Through his double-dealing with the government, Carmine Falcone was Gotham’s top crime boss for over two decades, accruing massive wealth, political influence, and an elite status. —Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2024 Far from being some dastardly act of espionage and double-dealing, Cartwright made his fateful choice out of love. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 While the Biden Administration seems to perceive Cambodia as an amenable partner, Manet is double-dealing Beijing and Washington. —Sam Rainsy, TIME, 24 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double-dealing
  1. fraudulent
  2. double
  3. deceptive
  4. deception
  5. dishonest
  6. fake
  7. shady
  8. deceit
Adjective
  • Cherfilus-McCormick is charged with 15 counts, including theft of government funds, money laundering, making and receiving straw donor contributions, and aiding and assisting the preparation of a false and fraudulent statement on a tax return.
    — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Both men sold drugs to fund their fraudulent transactions, prosecutors said.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of fraudulent
Adjective
  • Authorities have arrested a suspect in the fatal double shooting that left two teenagers dead last Tuesday evening, according to city officials.
    — CBS News Atlanta Staff, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • In a rare confluence, Nowruz, the Persian new year, fell on the same day — making Friday a double holiday for many Iranians.
    — Siham Shamalakh, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of double
Adjective
  • On March 24, the jury found that Meta had violated the state’s consumer protection law by knowingly engaging in an unfair or deceptive trade practice.
    — Diana Novak Jones, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Admittedly, Palace’s results had been rather deceptive.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Noun
  • As with Lavrov, Taras’ journey out was perilous, involving some deception and a huge amount of courage.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
  • So, while Massachusetts was accusing Exxon of climate deception, the state was also fighting a records request that exposed its own failure to comply with one of its own climate rules.
    — Paul Diego Craney, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of deception
Adjective
  • Asked about those allegations, Grossi said his role is to provide technical expertise, not to weigh in on whether Iran was honest or dishonest.
    — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • This is dishonest and partisan.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of dishonest
Adjective
  • The difference between a real deadline, imposed for legitimate reasons from without, and a fake one, conjured from within, is like the difference between eating brunch and seeing it on Instagram.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Later, O’Brien touted a fake company tasked with reformatting movies for smaller and smaller handheld devices, but the joke missed the mark.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • Past grand juries have issued reports raising awareness of shady land deals, questionable legislative appropriations and officials slow-walking public records requests.
    — Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The bill would force bettors to cough up any profits from shady transactions along with a 10% fine, according to Politico, which first reported the new legislation.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of shady
Noun
  • The federal government has accused Bien-Amie of spinning a decades-long web of deceit involving multiple identities — and wives — to gain a green card and later American citizenship.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
  • They are all caught in a web of deceit and revenge.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of deceit

Browse Nearby Words

double-dealers
double-dealing
doubled (in)
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Cite this Entry

“Double-dealing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double-dealing. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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