trickster

noun

trick·​ster ˈtrik-stər 

: one who tricks: such as

a

: a dishonest person who defrauds others by trickery

b

: a person (such as a stage magician) skilled in the use of tricks and illusion

c

: a cunning or deceptive character appearing in various forms in the folklore of many cultures

Synonyms

• cheat
• dodger
• shark

Examples of trickster in a Sentence

a heartless trickster swindled the elderly woman out of her life savings

a very adept trickster who used mirrors to make huge items—even buildings—seem to disappear

Recent Examples on the Web

This is not to suggest that Matsura was Coyote personified; rather, that Matsura’s persona and perspective manifested trickster qualities inscribed in and expressed through his photography. —Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025

This colorful tale blends fantasy with reality as Miguel heads to a magical land to confront Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt) with the help of a new friend and trickster named Héctor (Gael García Bernal). —Sydni Ellis, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

There’s also a playful side threaded through the record, embodied in the reappearance of his alter ego, Billy Bob Bo Bob — a kind of fantastical trickster figure he’s inhabited before. —Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Aug. 2025

In addition to taste testing at the wine and beer tents, see live performances by musical artists, polka dancers and BMX tricksters. —Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing trickster

• confidence trickster

Kids Definition

trickster

noun

trick·​ster ˈtrik-stər 

: one who tricks: as

a

: a dishonest person who cheats others by trickery

b

: magician sense 2