Definition

In a way that is misleading or intended to trick someone.

Example

The advertisement was deceptively simple, hiding the product's flaws.

Conversation

That movie seemed deceptively simple at first, didn't it?

Yeah, but it had so many layers to it!

Exactly! I thought it would be boring, but it surprised me.

Same here! It really kept me on the edge of my seat.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Deceptively → It is formed from "decept" (from Latin "deceptus", meaning misled or deceived) and "-ively" (meaning in a manner). The word "deceptively" means in a manner that misleads or causes someone to believe something that is not true.

Memory Tip

Think of being misled ('decept') and doing so 'in a manner' ('-ively') — that's why deceptively means to mislead someone in a certain way.

Visually Confused Words