easily fooled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easily fooled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is gullible or who is easily persuaded by arguments or false evidence. Example sentence: The young man was easily fooled by the conman's smooth talk.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Parents are easily fooled.

The New York Times

That he was easily fooled.

The New York Times - Magazine

Admissions directors are not easily fooled.

The Economist

She's not easily fooled, even by herself.

The New Yorker

"She's not easily fooled," he said.

The New York Times

Benchmarks are easily fooled – and unreliable.

The Guardian - Tech

But even caviar snobs are easily fooled.

The New York Times

How was I so easily fooled?

The New York Times - Magazine

They both, however, believe that voters are easily fooled.

The New York Times

The French electorate is perhaps not so easily fooled.

The New York Times

The international community is not so easily fooled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "easily fooled" to emphasize the simplicity or obviousness of the deception. If the trickery was complex, consider alternatives like "deceived" or "misled".

Common error

Avoid using "easily fooled" when the situation involves genuine complexity or sophisticated misinformation campaigns. The phrase implies a simple trick, not a carefully orchestrated scheme.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easily fooled" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone or something that is susceptible to deception. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to characterize individuals, groups, or even systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "easily fooled" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe someone or something susceptible to deception. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English to portray gullibility. The phrase frequently appears in news and media contexts, highlighting its relevance in discussions of deception and manipulation. While synonyms like "gullible" or "naive" offer similar meanings, "easily fooled" directly emphasizes the act of being tricked. When employing this phrase, consider the nuances of the situation to ensure it accurately reflects the simplicity or complexity of the deception involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily deceived

Direct synonym emphasizing the act of deception.

tricked

Focuses on the action of being tricked or deceived.

gullible

Focuses on a general tendency to believe things too readily.

taken in

Implies being convinced or persuaded by something false.

duped

Implies a successful act of trickery.

hoodwinked

Suggests a clever and deceptive trick.

naive

Suggests a lack of experience or worldliness that leads to being tricked.

cheated

Emphasizes the unfairness and dishonesty of the deception.

unsuspecting

Highlights the lack of awareness of potential deception.

manipulated

Highlights the controlling aspect of the deception.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "easily fooled"?

To be "easily fooled" means that someone is readily tricked or deceived due to naivete, lack of experience, or a trusting nature. It suggests a vulnerability to deception.

How can I use "easily fooled" in a sentence?

You can use "easily fooled" to describe a person or system that is susceptible to trickery, such as "The algorithm was "easily fooled" by fake data" or "Children are often "easily fooled" by simple magic tricks".

What are some synonyms for "easily fooled"?

Some synonyms for "easily fooled" include "gullible", "naive", "easily deceived", and "unsuspecting".

Is it better to say "easily fooled" or "easily deceived"?

"Easily fooled" and "easily deceived" are very similar. "Easily fooled" is slightly more informal and suggests a simpler trick, while "easily deceived" can imply a more deliberate or complex deception. The best choice depends on the specific context.