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
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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
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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
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as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
a go-between suspected of double-dealing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of double-dealing
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
Noun
But that rhetoric sounded hollow in the face of its dalliance with a drug-smuggling double-dealing despot like Noriega.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for double-dealing
Adjective
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From May 2020 to January 2022, Vazquez, Highsmith and several associates submitted fraudulent applications to financial institutions and the Small Business Administration.—
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Trauernicht, 46, is accused of approving McFadden’s fraudulent timesheets while seeking a romantic relationship with her.—
Adjective
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These ones elevate the trend — pun intended — with comfortable platform soles and double side stripe appliqués.—
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McDonald's has made the Big Arch — a massive double-patty burger — a permanent menu item in the United Kingdom and Ireland.—
Adjective
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While not everyone gets their wishes, those with no interest in taking on the deceptive — and challenging — role of a Traitor likely won't be chosen.—
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The legal claims included negligence, wrongful death, deceptive trade practices, and product liability.—
Noun
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McCoy is charged with theft by deception, violation of oath of office, and three counts of false statements and writings.—
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Harper got fired for the aforementioned deception.—
Adjective
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Multiple points of validation will help combat dishonest applicants, DEED Deputy Commissioner Evan Rowe told lawmakers at the time.—
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Thai Diner Yes, Thai Diner is technically in NoLita, but leaving it out would feel even more dishonest.—
Adjective
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Punter Sean West — whose long 24-yard heave on a fake punt outgained every quarterback on the roster.—
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Green expertly applies fake eyelashes, thick foundation and a dessert brown eye look, while Messina goes to work piling tight curls atop my head.—
Adjective
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The bill is meant to explicitly prohibit that kind of shady transaction.—
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As would giving Law an award for playing a shady restaurateur in Black Rabbit.—
Noun
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Emotional confusion, even deceit, and certainly judgmental attitudes are in the air.—
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Standing against them is notorious kingpin Bada Chaudhary (Sharad Kelkar), whose syndicate operates through layers of deceit through corridors in Saudi Arabia, Ethopia, Italy, Thailand and the UK.—
Cite this Entry
“Double-dealing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double-dealing. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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