ruse

noun

ˈrüs 

ˈrüz

: a wily subterfuge

Choose the Right Synonym for ruse

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 ruse in a Sentence

His act was just a clever ruse to get me to go out with him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Moreover, with his detached demeanor, Tom doesn’t even fake the affection or familiarity needed to carry off this ruse. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024

The ruse was believed to bring more than 1,000 people to the area, tying up traffic for hours. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

So far, fake FTC agents have stolen an average of $7,000 per ruse by telling victims to move or transfer money, María Soledad Davila Calero writes. —Nick Rockel, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024

Sometimes the ruse exploits kindness: the mark is moved to generosity on hearing of the prince’s travails. —Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024

But sources confirm that this sort of ruse has become increasingly common on Hollywood’s big night, although perpetrators usually arrive with fake Oscars, not real ones. —Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024

The elaborate ruse Cowles described began with someone calling her and posing as an Amazon representative asking about some suspicious purchases. —María Soledad Davila Calero, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024

Some involve inaccurate threats to turn off power or ruses to lease or sell solar power systems. —The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024

Scammers are betting on consumers multi-tasking or not fully paying attention to fall for their ruse, Melanie McGovern, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau, told USA TODAY. —USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, roundabout path taken by fleeing game, trickery, from reuser

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ruse

noun

ˈrüs 

ˈrüz

: a clever way to fool someone : trick

Geographical Definition

Ruse

geographical name

Ru·​se ˈrü-(ˌ)sā 

variants or Turkish Ruschuk

ru̇s-ˈchük 

city in northeastern Bulgaria on the Danube River south of Bucharest population 148,500