Duplicitous
adj. /djuːˈplɪsɪtəs/ (ڈیوپلِسِٹَس)Deceitful and untrustworthy, saying one thing while thinking or doing another.
Duplicitous Meaning in Urdu
In everyday Urdu, duplicitous describes someone who is deliberately two-faced and deceptive.
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1
Deliberately deceptive; two-facedدو رخا
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2
Saying different things to different people in order to deceiveدھوکے باز
“Duplicitous” is stronger than “disingenuous” — it implies deliberate, sustained deception, not just subtle evasion.
Word Details
| Word | Duplicitous |
| Part of Speech | Adjective |
| CEFR Level | C1 |
| Difficulty | Ielts |
| Urdu Meaning | دو رخا، دھوکے باز |
| English Meaning | Deliberately deceptive and two-faced |
| Pronunciation | /djuːˈplɪsɪtəs/ |
| Word Type | Formal, negative adjective |
| Commonness | Common in writing about betrayal, business ethics, and politics |
Pronunciation
Simple English Explanation
Use “duplicitous” for someone who deliberately deceives by saying one thing and doing or believing another — a duplicitous business partner who secretly works against the deal they claim to support.
اردو وضاحت
“Duplicitous” اس شخص کے لیے استعمال ہوتا ہے جو جان بوجھ کر ایک بات کہے اور دوسری کرے، یعنی دو رخا ہو۔
Example Sentences
Synonyms
Nuance: “Two-faced” is more casual and everyday; “duplicitous” is more formal, often used for calculated, sustained deception in relationships, business, or politics.
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Word Family
| Form | Word |
|---|---|
| Adjective | Duplicitous |
| Noun | Duplicity |
| Adverb | Duplicitously |
There is no standard verb form of “duplicitous” in modern English.
Duplicitous vs Disingenuous
“Disingenuous” is subtler — pretending to know less or be more innocent than one really is, often through evasive language.
“Duplicitous” is more serious and active: it describes deliberately saying or doing contradictory things to deceive someone, often over a sustained period, involving real betrayal rather than just evasive rhetoric.
Common Mistakes
✓ He was disingenuous about not knowing the answer.
For a single evasive claim, “disingenuous” fits better; reserve “duplicitous” for serious, sustained deception like betrayal.
IELTS Usage
Writing: Useful in Task 2 essays about trust, business ethics, or relationships.
Speaking: Can describe betrayal or dishonesty in Part 3 discussions.
Example: “Duplicitous business practices can permanently damage a company’s reputation once exposed.”
MDCAT / Academic Usage
Appears in literature and political studies passages about corruption, espionage, or betrayal; not scientific vocabulary.
Word Origin / Etymology
From Latin duplex (“twofold, double”), via the noun “duplicity.” The adjective form developed to describe someone who presents two contradictory faces.
Memory Tip
“Duplic-” relates to “double” (as in duplicate) — a duplicitous person has two faces: one they show, one they hide.
Mini Quiz
1. Meaning of “duplicitous”:
2. Correct sentence:
3. Antonym of “duplicitous”:
4. Noun form:
5. Root meaning relates to:
6. Which best fits “duplicitous”:
Score: 0 / 6
FAQs
What is the meaning of duplicitous in Urdu?
Duplicitous means دو رخا، دھوکے باز — deceitful and untrustworthy, saying one thing while doing another.
Is duplicitous a noun, verb, or adjective?
Adjective; the noun form is duplicity and the adverb is duplicitously.
What are the synonyms of duplicitous?
Deceitful, two-faced, treacherous, and fraudulent — with nuance explained above.
What is the opposite of duplicitous?
Honest, trustworthy, and sincere.
What is the difference between duplicitous and disingenuous?
Disingenuous is subtler, feigning innocence; duplicitous is more serious, describing deliberate, sustained deception such as betrayal.
Is duplicitous useful for IELTS?
Yes, especially in essays about trust, ethics, or relationships, as shown in the IELTS Usage section above.