be duped

USAGE SUMMARY

"be duped" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone being deceived or tricked. Example: "He was duped into believing the scam." Alternative expressions include "be fooled" and "be tricked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We would not be duped again.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have acted accordingly — by pretending to be duped".

The New Yorker

"Israel cannot afford to be duped," he added.

The New York Times

Golson went on: How can people be duped?

The New Yorker

You know all the tricks, happy to be duped.

The New York Times

No, I'm not going to be duped this time.

The Guardian - Film

Detectives can be duped by an informant's agenda.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, all of us, at some point, will be duped or mistakenly distrust an honest man.

The New York Times

Dogs in the study also demonstrated that, for the most part, they could not be duped.

The New York Times

"He was duped by Maciel, but he let himself be duped.

The New York Times

As long as I have a smartphone handy, I won't be duped.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the phrase with "by" to specify the agent of deception, such as "be duped by a sophisticated phishing email."

Common error

Ensure you distinguish between the passive verb phrase "be duped" and the noun "a dupe". While both relate to deception, "be duped" describes an action, whereas "a dupe" refers to the person who is easily deceived. Avoid redundant constructions like "he was a dupe who was duped".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be duped" functions as a passive voice construction where the subject is the recipient of a deceptive action. In Ludwig, it is frequently found in news headlines and analytical reports to focus on the impact of a scam rather than the perpetrator. It is grammatically regular and typically followed by a prepositional phrase starting with "by" or "into".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on extensive data from Ludwig, "be duped" is a robust and widely used phrase across high-authority English publications. It is the preferred term when describing individuals or groups who have been intentionally misled by sophisticated means. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is almost exclusively used in the passive voice to highlight the victim's perspective. It remains a crucial term in journalism and formal writing to denote deception without the more informal baggage of words like "tricked" or "fooled". Whether appearing in a warning against financial scams or in a political analysis, "be duped" provides a clear, professional way to discuss the success of a deception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deceived

Uses a more formal and broad verb for misleading someone

be misled

Focuses on the incorrect direction or information provided rather than just the trickery

be tricked

Slightly more informal, emphasizing the cleverness or artifice used

be conned

Implies a more elaborate or professional scam or confidence game

be hoodwinked

Adds a slightly old-fashioned or literary nuance to the act of deception

be bamboozled

Suggests a state of confusion or being overwhelmed by a trick

be swindled

Specifically implies being cheated out of money or property

be taken in

A common phrasal verb alternative suggesting gullibility

be fooled

General and plain alternative often used in everyday conversation

be scammed

Modern term focusing on fraudulent schemes, especially online or financial

FAQs

How do I use "be duped" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone being tricked, for example: "Investors should be careful not to "be duped" by get-rich-quick schemes."

What is a more formal way to say "be duped"?

For a more formal or academic tone, you might prefer to use "<a href="/s/be+deceived" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be deceived" or "<a href="/s/be+misled" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be misled".

What is the difference between "be duped" and "be fooled"?

"<a href="/s/be+fooled" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be fooled" is more general and colloquial, while "be duped" often implies a more calculated or intentional act of trickery by another party.

Can "be duped" be used in business writing?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in professional and business contexts, especially when discussing fraud, consumer protection or security risks.