Quick answer
Hoodwink means to deceive, trick, or mislead someone. It is usually pronounced HOOD-wingk, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Hoodwink
To hoodwink means to deceive, trick, or mislead someone. It belongs to ridiculous verbs and works best in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
verbcomical-actionexpressive
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you hoodwink, you to deceive, trick, or mislead someone. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Hoodwink feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Hoodwink is generally traced to originally related to covering the eyes like a hood; later developed into figurative deception. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Hoodwink is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The interns began to hoodwink at once when the projector failed again.
- He hoodwinked through the explanation so fast that nobody trusted the final answer.
- In the play, nervous witnesses hoodwink whenever the magistrate clears his throat.
- She refused to hoodwink about the crisis and gave the room a usable plan instead.
- The children hoodwinked excitedly after finding the attic full of costumes.
When should you use this word?
Use hoodwink when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
Similar words
Bamboozle, Beclown, Haggis, Halfwit, Hamadryad
Opposite or contrasting words
stillness, restraint, straightforward action
Common questions
- What does hoodwink mean? To deceive, trick, or mislead someone.
- How do you pronounce hoodwink? It is commonly pronounced HOOD-wingk.
- Is hoodwink still used today? Hoodwink is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use hoodwink? Use hoodwink when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
- What words are similar to hoodwink? Similar words include Bamboozle, Beclown, Haggis, and Halfwit.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.