# deceptively

**Pronunciation:** /dɪˈsɛptɪvli/ · dih-SEP-tiv-lee

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** adverb

## Meaning

In a way that makes something appear different from how it truly is, often in a misleading or surprising manner.

## Examples

- The puzzle looked deceptively simple, but it took hours to solve.
- Her quiet demeanor was deceptively calm, hiding a fierce determination.
- The road was deceptively smooth, with hidden potholes that could damage a car.

## Synonyms

- misleadingly — Suggests intentional or unintentional falsehood in appearance.
- speciously — Implies something seems plausible but is actually false or misleading.
- fallaciously — Refers to something based on a mistaken belief or unsound reasoning.

## Antonyms

- transparently — Clearly and openly, without concealment.
- honestly — In a truthful and straightforward manner.

## Collocations

- deceptively simple — The instructions were deceptively simple, leading many to make mistakes.
- deceptively easy — The first level of the game was deceptively easy, lulling players into a false sense of security.
- deceptively difficult — The short essay question proved deceptively difficult for many students.
- deceptively spacious — From the outside, the house looked small, but it was deceptively spacious inside.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/deceptively

[Browse the English learner dictionary](https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english)