hoodwinked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hoodwinked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been deceived or tricked. Example: "She felt hoodwinked after realizing that the investment was a scam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In April 2009, Mikhail Gorbachev expressed his outrage at the way Russia had been hoodwinked by the west in the years following German unification in 1990.

The Guardian - Opinion

Inflation might bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio but only if creditors can be hoodwinked (or bullied) into not demanding higher yields to compensate.

The Economist

Chinese editorials said South-East Asians should not be hoodwinked by imperialists.

The Economist

But the PNG government is worried, regardless of the financial implications, that the inexperienced ABG will be hoodwinked by the unscrupulous international mining companies waiting in the wings.

The Economist

Despite their four-year absence, the inspectors are confident they will not be hoodwinked.

The Economist

But Maung Toe of the Migrant Justice Programme, which helps Burmese seafood workers in Mahachai, the town with the largest Burmese population in Thailand, reports that some are being hoodwinked into parting with five times that amount.At that price, some workers will choose to remain in the shadows.

The Economist

Of those that do, only nine have so far agreed in full to the toughened safeguards, brought in after it was seen how easily Iraq had hoodwinked inspectors about its illicit nuclear programme.

The Economist

At an official banquet this week for conference participants at Diaoyutai, the state guest house where generations of important visitors have been feted and hoodwinked, there are no such affronts to foreign tastes.

The Economist

The league's chief, Nabil el-Araby, says that tanks have been withdrawn from residential areas and that 3,500 prisoners have been freed, but activists say he is being hoodwinked.

The Economist

And foreigners will become increasingly leery of investing in Italy for fear of being hoodwinked by better-informed insiders.Two lessons stand out.

The Economist

Why the government thinks consumers should be hoodwinked in the cause of trying to compete with Chile and Australia in wine production is even more baffling.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hoodwinked", ensure the context clearly indicates who was deceived and by whom. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hoodwinked" in situations where someone is merely mistaken or confused, rather than deliberately deceived. The word implies a conscious effort to mislead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hoodwinked" is as a past participle form of the verb "hoodwink". It is commonly used to describe someone who has been tricked or deceived. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hoodwinked" is a versatile verb form, commonly used to describe someone who has been deceived or tricked. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Analysis of the provided examples indicates that it appears frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral formality level suitable for general communication. While alternatives like "deceived", "tricked", and "misled" exist, "hoodwinked" offers a distinct nuance suggesting cunning manipulation. When using this word, ensure clarity by specifying the deceiver and the deceived.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceived

Focuses on the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true.

tricked

Emphasizes the use of cunning or deceit to achieve a goal.

duped

Suggests that someone has been easily fooled or manipulated.

misled

Highlights the act of leading someone to a wrong conclusion or belief.

bamboozled

Implies confusion and bewilderment resulting from deception.

taken for a ride

Indicates that someone has been exploited or swindled.

swindled

Emphasizes the act of cheating someone out of money or possessions.

cheated

Highlights the act of dishonesty in gaining an advantage over someone.

defrauded

Implies a deliberate act of deception for financial gain.

conned

Suggests the use of skillful deception to manipulate someone.

FAQs

How to use "hoodwinked" in a sentence?

You can use "hoodwinked" to describe someone being tricked or deceived. For example, "The investors felt "deceived" when they realized they had been "hoodwinked" by the fraudulent scheme."

What can I say instead of "hoodwinked"?

You can use alternatives like "tricked", "duped", or "misled" depending on the context.

Is "hoodwinked" formal or informal?

"Hoodwinked" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in news and media or general writing. More formal alternatives might include "defrauded" or "swindled".

Which is correct, "hoodwinked" or "being hoodwinked"?

Both "hoodwinked" and "being hoodwinked" can be correct, depending on the sentence structure. "Hoodwinked" is the past participle and can act as an adjective, while "being hoodwinked" is a passive progressive form of the verb.