These words refer to the giving or receiving of mistaken impressions. Although misleading is restricted to something that is apt to give a false impression, it is still the most general of these words in that it can apply to great or small potential misapprehensions, whether fostered intentionally, unintentionally or without any intent whatever: a misleading advertisement that deliberately left out the medicinal preparation’s possible side effects; peace offers that were misleading because of inexpert translations; clouds with a misleading look of calm to them.

Deceiving and deceptive would both seem stronger than misleading because an actual lie is implied rather than merely a misapprehension. Nevertheless, like misleading , deceptive also restricts itself to the possibility, somewhat greater in this case, of a mistaken impression, whether intentional or not. Deceiving , however, does suggest both a deliberate and successful lie: vertical stripes that give a deceptive impression of greater height; householders who are assured by the TV repairman’s deceiving air of knowing what he is doing.

Dissembling refers to a deliberate pretence whether believe or not, and deceitful , the strongest of all these words, refers to a constantly dissembling manner and an ingrained habit of telling lies. Delusive functions like deceptive except that it suggests mistaken impressions so great as to constitute a complete derangement of mind or a flagrant departure from fact. Because delusion can be the result of mental imbalance, delusive often seems to suggest a self-imposed belief that corresponds to one’s own wishes or needs.

• With a dissembling diffidence, the deceitful Iago presents misleading facts, gives them a deceptive turn, and, with a deceiving concern for his victim, constructs a delusive theory of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness.