Fooled

To be deceived, tricked, or misled; to cause someone to believe something that is not true. This often involves the manipulation of information, the exploitation of trust, or the presentation of a false appearance. The outcome of being fooled typically results in a mistaken belief or action. The degree of 'fooling' can range from a minor misunderstanding to significant financial or emotional damage. The act implies an element of cleverness or cunning on the part of the person doing the deceiving, and a degree of naivete or lack of awareness on the part of the person being fooled. The duration can vary from a fleeting moment to a prolonged period of delusion.

Fooled meaning with examples

• The magician expertly fooled the audience with a series of sleight-of-hand tricks, making the coin disappear before their eyes. They were captivated and utterly fooled by his performance, marveling at his seemingly impossible feats. It's easy to see how they were fooled, because they believed in magic. Even the skeptical were baffled.
• Sarah was completely fooled by the elaborate online scam, sending thousands of dollars to the supposed 'urgent need'. The sophisticated website and convincing story fooled her and the criminals, who seemed empathetic and genuine, exploited her vulnerabilities. She felt foolish for having been fooled, but realized the importance of caution.
• The detective suspected the witness was trying to fool him with a fabricated alibi. The inconsistencies in the story and the nervous behavior indicated an attempt to conceal the truth. After cross examination, the detective showed that the story was not possible. Trying to fool law enforcement usually does not end well for anyone involved.
• Despite her initial skepticism, the enticing advertisement fooled Emily into buying a product that didn't live up to its claims. The marketing team skillfully used carefully chosen words and images to promote their product, convincing consumers. She felt cheated and annoyed when she realized that she'd been fooled.
• The political campaign used misleading statistics and edited video footage, ultimately fooling the electorate. Propaganda used fear tactics to get votes from people worried about their safety. The outcome of the election revealed the power of deception. Unfortunately, people are usually swayed by emotional arguments rather than facts.