duplicity

noun du·plic·i·ty \du̇-ˈpli-sə-tē also dyu̇-\

: dishonest behavior that is meant to trick someone

plural du·plic·i·ties

Full Definition of DUPLICITY

: contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action; especially : the belying of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action

: the quality or state of being double or twofold

: the technically incorrect use of two or more distinct items (as claims, charges, or defenses) in a single legal action

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Middle English duplicite, from Middle French, from Late Latin duplicitat-, duplicitas, from Latin duplex

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonyms: artifice, cheating, cozenage, craft, craftiness, crookedness, crookery, cunning, cunningness, deceitfulness, deception, deceptiveness, dishonesty, dissembling, dissimulation, double-dealing, dupery, deceit, fakery, foxiness, fraud, guile, guilefulness, wiliness

Antonyms: artlessness, forthrightness, good faith, guilelessness, ingenuousness, sincerity

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