Deceptive Tactics

noun the use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose

• The politician was accused of engaging in chicanery to manipulate the election results.
• I can't believe the amount of chicanery going on in this company.
• I heard he's a master of chicanery, always finding a way to cheat the system.
• Her chicanery in twisting the truth left a trail of confusion and doubt in its wake.

noun the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth

• The businessman was caught in a web of deceit after it was discovered he had been embezzling funds.
• I can't believe she lied to her friend like that, what a deceitful move!
• Don't trust him, he's full of deceit and will stab you in the back.
• The deceitful whispers of doubt clouded her judgement and led her astray.

adjective characteristic of or resembling the devil; wicked or evil

• The criminal mastermind came up with a diabolical plan to steal the crown jewels.
• I can't believe how diabolical that movie villain was!
• That prank was absolutely diabolical!
• Her smile was diabolical, hinting at a mischievous secret.

noun a deceitful or underhanded action intended to harm someone

adjective not clean or pure; morally or ethically wrong

• The politician was accused of using a dirty trick to manipulate the election results.
• I can't believe he pulled that dirty trick on her during the game.
• That was a real low-down dirty trick he played on his friend.
• Using misinformation to deceive others is a dirty trick in the world of politics.

noun a person who lavishes praise, especially to excess, in order to gain favor or advantage

• She saw through the flatterer's insincere compliments.
• Don't trust that flatterer, he's just trying to get something from you.
• That flatterer is such a brown-noser.
• Beware of the flatterer who speaks sweet words but has ulterior motives.

noun the practice of winning a game or contest by using methods that are not strictly illegal but are often seen as unsporting or unethical

• The athlete was accused of using gamesmanship to gain an advantage over his opponent.
• She's a master of gamesmanship, always finding ways to outsmart her competitors.
• I can't believe the level of gamesmanship he displayed during the match.
• In the world of politics, gamesmanship is often used to manipulate public opinion.

noun a cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage

• The company's latest marketing ploy was met with mixed reviews from industry analysts.
• I see right through your little ploy to get out of doing the dishes.
• Nice try with that ploy, but I'm not falling for it.
• Her charm was just a ploy to get what she wanted.

noun a clue or piece of information that is intended to be misleading or distracting

• The detective quickly realized that the evidence was a red herring in the case.
• Don't be fooled by that clue, it's just a red herring.
• That piece of information is a total red herring, don't pay it any mind.
• His excuse was just a red herring to distract from the real issue.

noun A teacher of philosophy and rhetoric in ancient Greece

• The sophist used clever arguments to persuade the jury.
• Don't listen to that sophist, he's just trying to manipulate you.
• That sophist is such a smooth talker, you can't trust a word he says.
• Beware of the sophist in sheep's clothing, their words may deceive you.

noun a subtle, tricky, superficially plausible, but generally fallacious method of reasoning

• The politician's argument was filled with sophistry, attempting to deceive the public with flawed reasoning.
• Don't fall for his sophistry, he's just trying to trick you with fancy words.
• That guy's sophistry is so obvious, he thinks he can fool everyone but he's just full of it.
• Her words were like a web of sophistry, weaving a complex and deceptive narrative.

verb to manipulate or obtain through deceit or trickery

• She managed to wangle an invitation to the exclusive event.
• He always finds a way to wangle free tickets to concerts.
• I can't believe she wangled her way into the party.
• He tried to wangle a better deal out of the negotiations.

adjective sly or cunning, often in a deceitful way

• The wily politician was able to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
• She's a wily one, always finding a way to get what she wants.
• That wily fox managed to steal the chicken from right under the farmer's nose.
• His wily tactics in business earned him the nickname 'the fox'.

noun a noun referring to the act of telling half-truths or partial truths

• The politician's speech was filled with half-truthery, attempting to deceive the public with misleading information.
• I can't trust anything he says, it's all just half-truthery to make himself look good.
• Don't fall for his half-truthery, he's just trying to cover up his mistakes.
• Her stories were always a mix of truth and lies, like a masterful tapestry of half-truthery.