be deceptive

Frequency: 8.025.0 per million words

to give a misleading impression

Categories:

Examples (10)

  • Appearances can be deceptive; what seems simple is often complex.
  • The initial sales figures were deceptive, hiding a much slower underlying trend.
  • His quiet demeanor is deceptive; he's actually a very powerful speaker.
  • Statistics can be highly deceptive if you don't understand the context.
  • The calm surface of the lake is deceptive, as strong currents flow underneath.
  • Be careful, because first impressions can be deceptive.
  • The simplicity of the puzzle was deceptive, and it took hours to solve.
  • The politician's promises were dangerously deceptive, leading many to believe in false hopes.
  • Sometimes, a product's packaging is deceptive, making the item look larger than it is.
  • The apparent ease of the task was deceptive; it required a great deal of skill.