Deception refers to the act of deceiving or misleading someone by concealing, manipulating or distorting information. It involves presenting a false image or impression to others in order to gain an advantage or achieve a particular goal. Deception can take many forms such as lying, withholding information, using trickery or creating illusions. It is often used intentionally to manipulate people's thoughts and actions for personal benefit or to harm someone else. However, deception can also be unintentional or accidental when a person is not aware of the full consequences of their actions.