duplicity
Deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter; double-dealing.
Implies a calculated, two-faced betrayal where someone pretends to be an ally while working as an enemy.
Word relationships
- deceit: Deceit is a general term for hiding the truth, whereas duplicity specifically implies a 'two-faced' presentation—showing one face to one person and another to someone else.
- chicanery: Chicanery refers to clever, underhanded legal or political trickery, while duplicity focuses on the betrayal of trust through double-dealing.
- sincerity: Sincerity is the quality of being open, honest, and genuine in expression and intent.
- candor: Candor is the quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.
Commonly confused with
- duplication: Duplication is the act of copying or replicating something, while duplicity is moral double-dealing.
Word family
- duplicitous (adjective): Given to or characterized by double-dealing.
Collocations
- uncover duplicity
- political duplicity
- web of duplicity
Idioms & expressions
- two-faced
- speak with a double tongue
Example sentences
- "The executive's duplicity was revealed when investigators found he was selling secrets to their chief competitor." Exposing a corporate spy.
- "The public grew tired of the politician's duplicity, promising tax cuts to voters while voting for increases in private." From a political commentary.
Memory hook
Duplicity starts with 'DUP'—like 'DUPLICATE'. A duplicitous person has a duplicate personality. DUP-licity: A DUP-licitous person has a DUP-licate face.
When not to use
Do not use for simple lies or accidental mistakes; it requires a systematic, double-sided deception.
Fun facts
- The root 'plicare' (to fold) is also found in 'complicate' (folded together) and 'implicate' (folded into).
Explore more words
duplicitous, hypocritical, deceitful, double-cross, subterfuge, treachery
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