stratagem

noun

strat·​a·​gem ˈstra-tə-jəm 

-ˌjem

1

a

: a cleverly contrived trick or scheme for gaining an end : a cunning strategy

b

: a trick or ruse in war for deceiving and outwitting the enemy

2

: skill in ruses or trickery

Did you know?

A stratagem is any clever scheme—sometimes one that's part of an overall strategy (i.e., a carefully prepared plan of action). The word stratagem entered English in the 15th century and was originally used in reference to some artifice, such as a military plan or maneuver, that was designed to deceive or outwit the enemy. This military sense can be traced back to the word's Greek ancestor stratēgein, meaning "to act as a general." Stratēgein, in turn, comes from stratēgos (meaning "general"), which comes from stratos ("camp" or "army") and agein ("to lead"). Stratēgos is an ancestor of strategy as well; that word arrived in English more than a century after stratagem.

Synonyms of stratagem

• ruse
• scheme
• trick

Choose the Right Synonym for stratagem

trick, ruse, stratagem, maneuver, artifice, wile, feint mean an indirect means to gain an end.

trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Examples of stratagem in a Sentence

tried various stratagems to get the cat into the carrier, but the feisty feline was wise to them all

Recent Examples on the Web

Night after night the stratagem was repeated successfully. —Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025

For people like Soriano, however, the elections are about more than political stratagem and determining which family holds the most nominal power. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 13 May 2025

The scene is straight out of a stratagem by Pier Paolo Pasolini (Bertolucci’s mentor), but Palud takes it literally without applying comparable ideological critique to the rest of her film. —Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025

Its biting satire is complimented by engaging mechanics like the stratagems. —David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian stratagemma, from Latin strategema, from Greek stratēgēma, from stratēgein to be a general, maneuver, from stratēgos general, from stratos camp, army (akin to Latin stratus, past participle, spread out) + agein to lead — more at stratum, agent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

stratagem

noun

strat·​a·​gem ˈstrat-ə-jəm 

1

: a trick in war for deceiving and outwitting the enemy

2

: a clever trick or scheme