Duplicitous
Given to, marked by, or characterized by deception and double-dealing; presenting one set of truths to some people and a different set to others.
adjectiveDuplicitous
Given to, marked by, or characterized by deception and double-dealing; presenting one set of truths to some people and a different set to others.
adjectiveImagine This
Imagine a politician who tells voters in one city one version of a policy, then tells a different version to supporters in another city, as if wearing two masks. That contrast in stories is duplicitous.
Sounds Like
doo-PLIS-i-tuhs
Looks Like
Looks like related words such as duplicate or duplicity (root dupli- for double).
Remember This
The root 'dupli-' means double; duplicity (the noun) is the practice of being double-dealing, and duplicitous is the adjective describing that behavior.
Other Forms
Connect With
duplicity, deceit, two-faced, hypocritical, deceitful, double-dealing
Note
Duplicitous emphasizes intentional and systematic deceit (two-facedness). It is stronger than simply 'deceptive' and often implies contradictory statements or hidden agendas. Do not confuse with 'duplicit' (obsolete) or with 'duplicated' (copied).