duplicity
doo-PLIS-ih-tee
/djuːˈplɪsɪti/
Deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter.
Duplicity is specifically about 'doubleness'—having two faces or two stories.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'duplicitas', which comes from 'duplex' (two-fold). It literally means 'folded twice', suggesting that the truth is hidden inside the folds.
Word relationships
- double-dealing: Double-dealing is the common idiom; duplicity is the formal, Latinate noun.
- candor: Candor is the quality of being open and honest in expression.
Commonly confused with
- perfidy: Duplicity is the act of being two-faced; perfidy is the breach of faith that often results from it.
Word family
- duplicitous (adjective): Deceitful; double-dealing.
Collocations
- uncover duplicity
- political duplicity
- web of duplicity
Example sentences
- "The detective was shocked by the duplicity of the witness, who was secretly working for the very gang he was testifying against." Describing a politician's behavior.
Memory hook
Duplicity: 'Du' (two) + 'Plicity' (faces). Two-faced behavior. A double-edged sword of lies.
When not to use
Not for a simple lie; it implies a sustained pattern of double-dealing.
Fun facts
- The root 'plex' (to fold) also gives us 'complex' (folded together) and 'simple' (one fold).
Explore more words
duplicitous, hypocritical, deceitful, double-cross, subterfuge
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