General Deception:
* Mislead: To cause someone to have a wrong idea or belief.
* Deceive: To make someone believe something that is not true.
* Trick: To deceive someone by using a clever or dishonest method.
* Fool: To make someone believe something that is not true, often by using a simple or obvious method.
* Hoodwink: To deceive someone by using a clever or cunning method.
* Dupe: To deceive someone into doing something against their own interests.
Specific Forms of Deception:
* Confuse: To make someone unable to think clearly or understand something.
* Disguise: To hide the true nature of something.
* Betray: To deceive someone who trusts you.
* Manipulate: To control or influence someone in a dishonest or unfair way.
Emphasis on Self-Deception:
* Delude oneself: To deceive oneself into believing something that is not true.
* Blind oneself: To refuse to see the truth or reality.
* Be self-deceiving: To have a false belief about oneself or the world.
Formal/Literary:
* Beguile: To charm or deceive someone with something pleasant or attractive.
* Ensnare: To trap someone in a deceitful situation.
Negative Connotations:
* Seduce: To tempt someone to do something wrong or unwise.
* Exploit: To take advantage of someone's weakness or vulnerability.
The best synonym to use will depend on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.