subterfuge

noun

sub·​ter·​fuge ˈsəb-tər-ˌfyüj 

1

: deception by artifice or stratagem in order to conceal, escape, or evade

2

: a deceptive device or stratagem

Did you know?

Subterfuge Has Latin Roots

Though subterfuge is a synonym of deception, fraud, double-dealing, and trickery, there's nothing tricky about the word's etymology. We borrowed the word and meaning from Late Latin subterfugium. That word contains the Latin prefix subter-, meaning "secretly," which derives from the adverb subter, meaning "underneath." The -fuge portion comes from the Latin verb fugere, which means "to flee" and which is also the source of words such as fugitive and refuge, among others.

Synonyms

• deception
• treachery
• trickery
• skullduggery
• deceptiveness
• chicanery
• gamesmanship
• skulduggery
• secrecy
• cunning
• stealth
• artfulness
• deceit

Choose the Right Synonym for subterfuge

deception, fraud, double-dealing, subterfuge, trickery mean the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives.

deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

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

trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

Examples of subterfuge in a Sentence

And the same kind of subterfuge that causes employees to open a virus-laden attachment could also lead them to unknowingly install programs that ship all their data to unscrupulous competitors. —Paul Wallich, Scientific American, July 2000

Williams has worn a wedding ring for the past decade. Originally it was a fake diamond used as a subterfuge during her days as an activist in Central America … —Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, February 1998

The first pool appeared on the scene in 1791, organized to manipulate stock of the U.S. Bank. Members of a pool contributed money, which was handed over to a single operator, who put into effect various strategies and subterfuges. He could depress the price of a stock, buy a lot at the low point, then artificially raise the price, and sell at a profit; or he might sell short, then depress the price and make a profit. —Kathleen Odean, High Steppers, Fallen Angels, and Lollipops, 1988

They obtained the documents by subterfuge.

propagandists who use a kind of photographic subterfuge, superimposing one image on another to create a false “reality”

Recent Examples on the Web

The facility had been subject to sabotage and subterfuge by Israel for many years even before these attacks–including a computer virus that wrecked the centrifuges over a decade ago. —Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 26 June 2025

When the magazine writer Dylan (Daryl Wein) and his girlfriend and photographer, Lucy (Abigail Cowen), descend upon the rocker Milo (Jack Farthing), there’s subterfuge afoot. —Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 1 May 2025

The only safe refuge, 20 miles away, is the federal garrison at Harpers Ferry, but reaching it will require much subterfuge and even more luck. —Alida Becker, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Remember when Russia was that pesky geopolitical force who’s own constant secrecy and subterfuge brought about the downfall of its imperial ambitions? —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugere to escape, evade, from subter- secretly (from subter underneath; akin to Latin sub under) + fugere to flee — more at up, fugitive

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subterfuge

• centrifuge
• febrifuge
• huge
• kluge
• scrooge
• stooge
• ultracentrifuge

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Kids Definition

subterfuge

noun

sub·​ter·​fuge ˈsəb-tər-ˌfyüj 

1

: the action of deceiving usually by slyness in order to avoid some unpleasant circumstance (as to escape blame)

2

: a plan or trick that employs sly deception