Cunning vs. Deception — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 4, 2023
Cunning refers to skill in achieving goals through deceit or evasion. Deception is the act of misleading or giving a false impression.
Difference Between Cunning and Deception
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cunning and Deception, though intertwined, serve as distinct terms in the realm of sly behavior. Cunning denotes a skill, an ability to achieve one's objectives, often through deceit, evasion, or shrewdness. It can be perceived as an inherent quality, suggesting that someone possesses a clever mind, capable of navigating situations in crafty ways, not always negative in nature.
On the other hand, Deception signifies an action, specifically the act of misleading someone by presenting false information or giving a wrong impression. It always carries a negative connotation, highlighting the intent to deceive or mislead. While one can be cunning without being deceptive, every act of deception does contain an element of cunning.
To illustrate, a person might employ cunning in a game of strategy, using their wits to outsmart the opponent. This use of cunning isn't necessarily negative. However, if that same person cheats in the game, it becomes an act of deception. Here, cunning facilitates the deception, but the two remain distinct concepts.
Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Skill in achieving through deceit or evasion
Act of misleading or giving a false impression
Type
Quality or trait
Action
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Connotation
Can be neutral or negative
Always negative
Relation to intent
May or may not have negative intent
Always has negative intent
Scope
Broader, encompasses cleverness
Narrower, focuses on misleading actions
Compare with Definitions
Cunning
Skill in achieving goals using deceit.
Her cunning strategy caught all her competitors off guard.
Deception
A false idea or belief.
The illusion was a mere deception of the eyes.
Cunning
Shrewdness in dealing with others.
With his cunning negotiation tactics, he secured a great deal.
Deception
The act of misleading or lying.
The con artist's deception robbed many of their savings.
Cunning
Cleverness or ingenuity.
His cunning inventions always amazed the crowd.
Deception
The state of being deceived.
She was in total deception about his true intentions.
Cunning
Artful subtlety.
She had a cunning way of navigating through tricky situations.
Deception
A ruse or stratagem.
The decoy was a masterful deception in their plan.
Cunning
Marked by or given to artful subtlety and deceptiveness.
Deception
The use of deceit.
Cunning
Executed with or exhibiting ingenuity.
Deception
The fact or state of being deceived.
Cunning
Delicately pleasing; pretty or cute
A cunning pet.
Deception
A ruse; a trick.
Cunning
Skill in deception; guile.
Deception
An instance of actions and/or schemes fabricated to mislead someone into believing a lie or inaccuracy.
Cunning
Skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity.
Deception
The act of deceiving or misleading.
Cunning
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
Deception
The state of being deceived or misled.
There is one thing relating either to the action or enjoyments of man in which he is not liable to deception.
Cunning
(obsolete) Skillful, artful.
Deception
That which deceives or is intended to deceive; false representation; artifice; cheat; fraud.
There was of course room for vast deception.
Cunning
(obsolete) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
Cunning work
Deception
A misleading falsehood
Cunning
Cute, appealing.
Deception
The act of deceiving
Cunning
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
Deception
An illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
Cunning
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
Deception
Trickery or deceit used to achieve a goal.
His rise to power was riddled with deception.
Cunning
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
Cunning
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
The cunning of the fox or hare
Cunning
(obsolete) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).
Cunning
Knowing; skillful; dexterous.
"Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and whiteNature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on.
Esau was a cunning hunter.
Cunning
Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious; curious; as, cunning work.
Over them Arachne high did lift
Cunning
Crafty; sly; artful; designing; deceitful.
They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere.
Cunning
Pretty or pleasing; as, a cunning little boy.
Cunning
Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
A carpenter's desertStands more in cunning than in power.
Cunning
The faculty or act of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose; fraudulent skill or dexterity; deceit; craft.
Discourage cunning in a child; cunning is the ape of wisdom.
We take cunning for a sinister or crooked wisdom.
Cunning
Shrewdness in deception;
As cunning as a fox
Cunning
Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
Cunning
Drafty artfulness (especially in deception)
Cunning
Attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness;
A cute kid with pigtails
A cute little apartment
Cunning kittens
A cunning baby
Cunning
Marked by skill in deception;
Cunning men often pass for wise
Deep political machinations
A foxy scheme
A slick evasive answer
Sly as a fox
Tricky Dik
A wily old attorney
Cunning
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Cunning
Craftiness or slyness.
The fox is often depicted as a cunning animal in folklore.
Common Curiosities
Can Cunning be seen positively?
Yes, if it denotes cleverness without deceit.
Are Cunning and Deception synonyms?
While related, they are not exact synonyms; Cunning is a skill, while Deception is an act.
Which is broader in scope, Cunning or Deception?
Cunning, as it can encompass both cleverness and deceit.
What's the main intent behind Deception?
To mislead or provide a false impression.
Can someone be cunning but not deceptive?
Yes, one can be clever without misleading others.
Is Deception always intentional?
Typically yes, as it involves a conscious act to mislead.
Is a cunning person always deceptive?
No, but they possess the skill to be.
Is Deception always negative?
Yes, it involves misleading or presenting false information.
Can animals exhibit Cunning?
Yes, many animals use cunning strategies for survival.
Can you admire someone's Cunning?
Yes, especially if it's cleverness without malice.
Is Deception always facilitated by Cunning?
Yes, as deception requires some level of craftiness.
Can you teach someone to be cunning?
Skills can be honed, but inherent cleverness might be innate.
Why is Deception looked down upon?
Because it involves misleading and breaching trust.
Can Cunning be used for good?
Certainly, especially if it denotes clever problem-solving.
Is every lie an act of Deception?
Yes, lying is inherently deceptive.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
