delude
verb
[ dɪˈl(j)uːd ]
• make (someone) believe something that is not true.
• "too many theorists have deluded the public"
Similar:
mislead,
deceive,
fool,
take in,
trick,
dupe,
hoodwink,
double-cross,
gull,
beguile,
lead on,
cheat,
defraud,
swindle,
con,
bamboozle,
pull a fast one on,
lead up the garden path,
take for a ride,
put one over on,
sucker,
snooker,
hornswoggle,
pull a swifty on,
cozen,
illude,
Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin deludere ‘to mock’, from de- (with pejorative force) + ludere ‘to play’.
