Duped

To be deceived or tricked into believing something that is not true; to be taken advantage of through deception. This typically involves being manipulated or misled, often resulting in a loss, embarrassment, or unwanted action. The person being duped is generally unaware of the deceit until after the fact, experiencing a feeling of betrayal or foolishness upon realizing the truth. The deception can range from minor pranks to significant scams, highlighting the vulnerability of trusting individuals.

Duped meaning with examples

• The online shopper was easily duped by the fake website, believing the too-good-to-be-true discounts and entering their credit card details. They only realised they had been scammed when the items never arrived and the website disappeared. It served as a brutal lesson about checking legitimacy.
• The con artist duped the elderly widow into investing her life savings in a bogus scheme. He used flattery and fabricated financial reports to gain her trust. The victim's family was heartbroken when they discovered the scheme and that they were financially devastated by the swindler.
• The aspiring actor was duped into signing a contract that granted the agency complete control of his career. He was promised fame and fortune, but later discovered that the agreement contained unfavourable terms, leaving him unable to pursue his dreams. This led to a feeling of being misled.
• Sarah was duped by her friend who pretended to be interested in her opinion, while privately making fun of her. It really hurt Sarah, as she valued their friendship, making her feel betrayed and foolish for having confided in them. This made her question her judgment.