thoroughly deceived

USAGE SUMMARY

"thoroughly deceived" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone who has been completely misled or tricked. Example: She felt thoroughly deceived by the false promises made to her. Alternative expressions include "completely misled" and "entirely fooled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Psychiatric propaganda on child education has thoroughly deceived well-meaning parents, teacher and politicians into believing that normal childhood behaviour is a mental illness, and that only by heavy drugging from an early age can an afflicted child make it through his schooling life".

Vice

"Psychiatric propaganda on child education has thoroughly deceived well-meaning parents, teacher and politicians into believing that normal childhood behavior is a mental illness, and that only by heavy drugging from an early age can an afflicted child make it through his schooling life".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Kilbane and Huddersfield did enjoy a brief early second-half renaissance featuring Daniel Ward's swerving shot striking the top of the bar and Peterborough being required to combat a few crosses but it proved thoroughly deceiving and was soon undermined by Boyd.

The Guardian - Sport

The Wall Street Journal's Matina Stevis has a breaking story about a "strictly confidential" internal IMF (International Monetary Fund) document that reveals how thoroughly the IMF deceived the public (and investors) when it said Greece's debt levels were "sustainable".

Huffington Post

But it was 350 pages long, few legislators had read it thoroughly, and many said later they felt deceived by its scope.

The New York Times

"I think it's a thoroughly cynical attempt to deceive the public into thinking the conviction was justified".

Independent

Parliament was also deceived.

The Economist

They deceived us".

The New Yorker

Was I deceived?

The New Yorker

"Our agent deceived us.

The Guardian

He deceived people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thoroughly deceived" to emphasize the comprehensive and complete nature of the deception. It is stronger than simply saying "deceived".

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly deceived" in overly casual or informal situations. Simpler terms like "tricked" or "misled" might be more appropriate in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly deceived" functions as an adverb-verb combination emphasizing the extent to which someone has been misled. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct, highlighting its descriptive power in illustrating the depth of deception.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

The New Yorker

3%

Huffington Post

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Forbes

1%

Encyclopedia Britannica

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thoroughly deceived" is a grammatically sound adverb-verb phrase used to emphasize the completeness of a deception. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and notes its appearance primarily in news and media contexts. While not overly common, it effectively conveys a sense of betrayal and victimization. For alternative expressions, consider "completely misled" or "utterly fooled". Remember to use "thoroughly deceived" judiciously, opting for simpler terms in casual settings to maintain appropriate register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely misled

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the misleading, suggesting a total deviation from the truth.

utterly fooled

Highlights the complete success of the deception, leaving no room for doubt about being tricked.

totally duped

Focuses on the act of being tricked or swindled, implying a deliberate manipulation.

entirely bamboozled

Suggests a state of confusion and bewilderment resulting from the deception.

well and truly deceived

Strengthens the deception with the use of 'well and truly,' indicating a definitive and undeniable deception.

taken for a ride

Implies a longer, more elaborate deception, where the person was manipulated over time.

sold a bill of goods

Indicates that someone was convinced of something false, typically for financial gain.

led astray completely

Emphasizes the act of being diverted from the right path by deception.

hoodwinked entirely

Focuses on trickery and deceit, often used to conceal the truth.

played for a fool

Suggests the deceived person was treated disrespectfully and taken advantage of.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly deceived" in a sentence?

You can use "thoroughly deceived" to describe a situation where someone has been completely misled or tricked. For example: "The investors felt "completely misled" after discovering the company's fraudulent activities, and they felt "thoroughly deceived" by the CEO's false statements."

What are some alternatives to "thoroughly deceived"?

Alternatives include phrases like "completely misled", "utterly fooled", or "totally duped". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "thoroughly deceived" or simply "deceived"?

"Thoroughly deceived" emphasizes the extent and completeness of the deception. If you want to stress that someone was completely misled, "thoroughly deceived" is more appropriate. Otherwise, "deceived" is a more general term.

What's the difference between "thoroughly deceived" and "slightly deceived"?

"Thoroughly deceived" indicates a complete and comprehensive deception, leaving no room for doubt. "Slightly deceived" suggests a minor or partial deception, where the person was misled to a limited extent.