DECEIVE implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness. tried to deceive me about the cost MISLEAD implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional. I was misled by the confusing sign DELUDE implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth. we were deluded into thinking we were safe BEGUILE stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving. was beguiled by false promises
LIE is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty. lied about where he had been PREVARICATEsoftens the bluntness of LIE by implying quibbling or confusing the issue. during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricateEQUIVOCATE implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another. equivocated endlessly in an attempt tomislead her inquisitors PALTER implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises. a swindler paltering with his investors FIB applies to a telling of a trivial untruth. fibbed about the price of the new suit