Synonym Chooser

How does the noun subterfuge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of subterfuge are deception, double-dealing, fraud, and trickery. While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.

obtained the papers by subterfuge

When could deception be used to replace subterfuge?

Although the words deception and subterfuge have much in common, deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

Where would double-dealing be a reasonable alternative to subterfuge?

The words double-dealing and subterfuge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

When can fraud be used instead of subterfuge?

In some situations, the words fraud and subterfuge are roughly equivalent. However, fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

When is trickery a more appropriate choice than subterfuge?

The words trickery and subterfuge can be used in similar contexts, but trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

Examples of subterfuge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Among the episodes: a six-figure payment for a major scoop; planting a junior reporter in a government job to secure secret documents; and relying on a private investigator who used subterfuge to secure private documents from their computers and phones. David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 June 2024 The process hasn’t been tested since the election of 1824, and could be vulnerable to procedural subterfuge. Jason Willick, Washington Post, 20 June 2024 Despite decades of subterfuge and concealment from Gail regarding the state of the family’s finances, Zappa had every expectation that the four children would receive an equitable share of the estate and run the business as her mother had. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024 Arguably, the real-world double-dealing and subterfuge of the political world puts the Traitors v. Faithfuls showdowns to shame, but The Political Assembly is also pitched differently to other reality shows. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 30 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for subterfuge 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subterfuge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Subterfuge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subterfuge. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on subterfuge

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