bluff -
An attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something
Harry fired so many shots that the criminal thought he ran out of bullets, but he couldn't risk calling Harry's bluff.
noun
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villain -
A person who is considered wicked, cruel, or criminal; someone blamed for causing a particular problem or harm.
Robin Hood was considered a villain to the people who had money, but he was a hero to the poor.
verb
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fink -
Inform on to the authorities
Mary finked on her brother when their parents asked which one of them took a cookie out of the jar.
noun
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fraud -
Intentional deception for personal or financial gain.
Monty was sentenced to 10 years in jail for tax fraud when the tax man discovered that he had undeclared assets.
noun
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façade -
A deceptive outward appearance.
Bill realized too late that behind the salesman's facade of integrity was a crook that wanted to steal his money.
noun
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smokescreen -
A distraction or false front used to mislead or deceive others.
The flashy website and ad campaign turned out to be a smokescreen so people would be distracted from paying attention to the company's declining sales.
noun
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ruse -
A ploy or stratagem used to manipulate a situation in one's favor, often by hiding one's true intentions or motives.
His apparent offer to help was just a ruse to get access to her personal information.
noun
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guise -
A deceptive appearance that is intended to deceive
Using the guise of helping older women, the thief was initially friendly and then robbed them.
noun
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hypocrite -
Someone who acts in a way that contradicts what they say they believe in
Barry claimed that he believed in honesty, but the way he usually lied when it was convenient showed that he was just a hypocrite
verb
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downplay -
To make something seem less important than it really is.
The government downplayed the water crisis, but when the water levels fell too much, they told people to try to use less water.
verb
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exploit -
To take unfair advantage of
At the start of the industrial revolution, factory owners would exploit the workers by giving them low wages and making them work long hours.
noun
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mischief -
Behavior that causes minor damage or annoyance, especially by children or animals.
Their son had a sparkle of mischief in his eyes when he ran to hide behind the curtains.
