wile

1 of 2

noun

ˈwī(-ə)l 

1

: a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive

also : a beguiling or playful trick

2

: skill in outwitting : trickery, guile

wile

2 of 2

verb

wiled; wiling

transitive verb

1

: to lure by or as if by a magic spell : entice

2

[by alteration] : while

Synonyms of wile

Noun

• ruse
• trick
• scheme
• device

Verb

• fascinate
• charm
• delight
• entice
• seduce
• kill
• lure
• enchant
• please
• interest
• witch
• beguile
• tempt
• captivate
• intrigue

Choose the Right Synonym for wile

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 wile in a Sentence

Noun

had to use all of her wiles to convince her guests to stay for dinner

it took both wile and cajolery to talk him into it

Verb

her stories of the Old South could wile anyone

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The format has an all-powerful ‘Taskmaster’ who, with the help of a loyal assistant, tests the wiles of a panel of comedians over the course of each series by setting them weird and wonderful challenges. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2026

A’zion, as the protagonist’s married lover, who can match his manipulative wiles beat for beat, conveys an exciting, bittersweet sense of the wheels turning beneath deceptive surfaces. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026

Verb

Guests’ comings and goings seem minimal, many wiling away the hours in the most leisurely ways possible under the summer sun. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026

The 1,000-piece jigsaw is a beautiful challenge sure to help wile away the hours while the weather outside is frightful. —Melissa Locker, Time, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wil, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse vēl deceit, artifice

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wile

• aisle
• bile
• chyle
• file
• guile
• heil
• isle
• kyle
• mile
• pile
• rile
• smile

Kids Definition

wile

1 of 2 noun

ˈwī(ə)l 

1

: a trick intended to deceive or trap

2

: skill in tricking

: guile

wile

2 of 2 verb

wiled; wiling

: to lure by or as if by a magic spell