deceptively
deceptively Lexical Profile
deceptively Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
To a lesser or greater extent than initial appearances suggest; in a way that gives a misleading impression of the true nature or difficulty of something.
"The calm surface of the river hides a deceptively strong undertow."
In a dishonest, deceitful, or fraudulent manner intended to mislead others.
"The consumer protection agency fined the company for marketing its subscription service deceptively."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Deceptively" is a notoriously ambiguous contronym when modifying an adjective: "a deceptively simple problem" usually means a problem that appears simple on the surface but is actually complex, though some speakers use it to mean a problem that is surprisingly simple despite looking complex.
• Rhymes for deceptively
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed from the adjective deceptive plus the adverbial suffix -ly; deceptive derives via Old French from Late Latin deceptivus, from the past participle stem of Latin decipere ("to ensnare, cheat, or beguile").