Gulled

Past participle of the verb 'gull,' meaning to deceive or trick someone, often through flattery, persuasion, or a false promise. It implies taking advantage of someone's naivety, trust, or vulnerability to obtain something from them, whether it be money, information, or some other benefit. The deception can range from a minor practical joke to a significant financial scam. The key element is a deliberate effort to mislead or manipulate.

Gulled meaning with examples

• The elderly woman, sadly, was gulled by the smooth-talking salesman into investing her life savings in a fraudulent scheme. He painted a rosy picture of instant riches, exploiting her desire for financial security. The authorities are now investigating, but much of the money is lost, and she’s lost faith in her own judgment after being so easily fooled.
• The young apprentice, easily gulled by the experienced con artist, was persuaded to steal proprietary blueprints. He was promised a large reward, which never materialized. Now, facing criminal charges and the shame of betrayal, the young man regrets his actions, which have ruined any chance for future career advancement.
• The children, gulled by the promise of a surprise party, eagerly followed the older siblings to the basement. Little did they know it was a water balloon fight! They were completely soaked, but secretly enjoyed the practical joke. Afterward, laughter and wet clothes were the result of their older sibling's ploy.
• The detective, gulled initially by the suspect's carefully constructed alibi, wasted valuable time pursuing dead ends. Only through rigorous investigation and re-examining the crime scene, did he uncover the truth. This forced the detective to reconsider their perspective and re-evaluate the evidence to close the case successfully.
• Marketing campaigns are often designed to **gull** consumers, through cleverly presented advertisements and misleading product claims. Using persuasive language and celebrity endorsements, they convince consumers to buy products of often dubious value. The goal is to manipulate them into purchasing the product through carefully crafted messages.