Disingenuous vs. Duplicitous — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
Disingenuous behavior involves not being completely honest or sincere, often subtly; duplicitous actions are deliberately deceitful, involving outright lies or double-dealing.
Difference Between Disingenuous and Duplicitous
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Disingenuous behavior typically implies that a person is not being completely straightforward or is holding back the truth. It often involves giving a false impression in a subtle way. On the other hand, duplicitous behavior is more severe, involving deliberate deception or contradictory conduct, such as saying one thing but doing another.
When someone is disingenuous, they might omit certain truths or present information in a misleading way to keep the actual intentions hidden. Whereas, a duplicitous individual engages in more calculated and deceptive actions, often with the intent to mislead others for personal gain or to harm someone else.
For example, a disingenuous person might feign ignorance about a situation to avoid confrontation. In contrast, someone who is duplicitous might actively spread false information to create conflict or confusion.
While disingenuousness can be seen as somewhat passive in nature—more about withholding or skewing the truth—duplicitousness is active and involves creating a façade of one thing while secretly maintaining another agenda.
In social interactions, being disingenuous might not immediately harm relationships but can erode trust over time. Conversely, duplicitous behavior can lead to immediate and severe consequences in personal and professional relationships due to its inherently deceitful nature.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Not fully honest or sincere, subtly false
Deliberately deceitful, engaging in double-dealing
Intent
Misleading but not overtly harmful
Intending to deceive or betray
Behavior Type
Often passive, withholding truth
Active, creating deceptive facades
Common Usage
Social interactions, avoiding offense
Strategic deception, often in politics or business
Impact on Relationships
Erodes trust gradually
Can cause immediate and severe trust breaches
Compare with Definitions
Disingenuous
Sometimes used to avoid direct lying.
He was disingenuous when asked about his work experience.
Duplicitous
Often related to betrayal or serious deceit.
A duplicitous ally can cause more harm than an acknowledged enemy.
Disingenuous
Can appear as feigning ignorance.
She was disingenuous about not knowing the company policy.
Duplicitous
Engages in outright lies or double-dealing.
The politician's duplicitous scheme involved bribes.
Disingenuous
Often involves subtle manipulation of truth.
She was disingenuous about her reasons for being late.
Duplicitous
Common in espionage and covert operations.
The spy’s duplicitous actions included selling secrets to multiple countries.
Disingenuous
Generally viewed as a milder form of deceit.
His comments were polite but disingenuous.
Duplicitous
Intentionally deceitful, involving two-faced actions.
His duplicitous behavior was revealed when he was caught lying to his boss.
Disingenuous
Not completely honest or sincere; slightly pretending.
His apology seemed disingenuous, lacking real remorse.
Duplicitous
Has severe implications for trust and integrity.
Duplicitous conduct in a partnership is often unforgivable.
Disingenuous
Not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does
This journalist was being somewhat disingenuous as well as cynical
Duplicitous
Given to or marked by deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech.
Disingenuous
Not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating
“Increasingly, the question of immigration has become a disingenuous stalking-horse for race and racial hostility” (Tyler Stovall).
Duplicitous
Given to or marked by deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech.
Disingenuous
Pretending to be unaware or unsophisticated; faux-naïf.
Duplicitous
Exhibiting duplicity{2}; deceitful; double-dealing.
Disingenuous
Usage Problem Unaware or uninformed; naive.
Duplicitous
Marked by deliberate deceptiveness especially by pretending one set of feelings and acting under the influence of another;
She was a deceitful scheming little thing
A double-dealing double agent
A double-faced infernal traitor and schemer
Disingenuous
Not honourable; unworthy of honour
Disingenuous
Not ingenuous; not frank or open
Disingenuous
Assuming a pose of naïveté to make a point or for deception.
Disingenuous
Not noble; unbecoming true honor or dignity; mean; unworthy; as, disingenuous conduct or schemes.
Disingenuous
Not ingenuous; wanting in noble candor or frankness; not frank or open; uncandid; unworthily or meanly artful.
So disingenuous as not to confess them [faults].
Disingenuous
Not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness;
An ambitious, disingenuous, philistine, and hypocritical operator, who...exemplified...the most disagreeable traits of his time
A disingenuous excuse
Common Curiosities
What is the key difference between disingenuous and duplicitous?
Disingenuous involves subtle dishonesty or insincerity, while duplicitous involves deliberate deceit and double-dealing.
Why is duplicitous behavior considered more severe?
Because it involves intentional deceit that can lead to immediate and significant consequences for personal and professional relationships.
Can someone be both disingenuous and duplicitous?
Yes, an individual's behavior might exhibit both characteristics, especially in complex social or political contexts.
Is disingenuous behavior always harmful?
It can be harmful in the long run as it erodes trust, although it may not immediately damage relationships.
How can one identify duplicitous behavior?
Look for inconsistencies in what a person says and does, and evidence of lying or double standards.
What might motivate disingenuous behavior?
Often, the motive is to avoid offending someone or to protect oneself from negative consequences without resorting to outright lies.
What are the risks of dealing with a duplicitous business partner?
Financial losses, damaged reputation, and legal problems are among the significant risks.
What are the implications of duplicitous behavior in the workplace?
It can lead to a toxic environment, mistrust among team members, and potential legal issues.
What are the long-term effects of duplicitous behavior in relationships?
Long-term effects can include irreparable damage to trust, ending of relationships, and ongoing conflict.
How should one approach negotiations with someone known to be duplicitous?
Proceed with caution, employ verification measures, and consider involving neutral third parties to ensure fairness.
How can one handle a disingenuous person?
Address issues directly, seek clarity, and encourage openness to mitigate misunderstandings.
Can organizations recover from leadership that has engaged in duplicitous activities?
Recovery is possible but requires transparent corrective actions and a commitment to rebuilding trust.
Is it easier to forgive disingenuous or duplicitous behavior?
Disingenuous behavior is generally easier to forgive due to its less malicious intent compared to the often harmful nature of duplicitous actions.
Can disingenuous behavior be justified under certain circumstances?
Some argue it can be if used to avoid needless harm or conflict, though it's generally advised to strive for honesty.
How do cultural differences impact perceptions of disingenuous behavior?
Cultural norms influence how honesty and sincerity are valued, thus affecting how disingenuous actions are viewed.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
