Synonyms of trickery

trickery

noun

ˈtri-k(ə-)rē 

as in deception

the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end

Delia resorted to trickery—even loading up the fishing equipment—to induce her dog into the car for his vet appointment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deception
• subterfuge
• treachery
• skullduggery
• deceptiveness
• chicanery
• cunning
• jugglery
• gamesmanship
• skulduggery
• legerdemain
• artfulness
• deceit
• stealth
• secrecy
• scheming
• jiggery-pokery
• chicane
• wile
• artifice
• hanky-panky
• plotting
• deceitfulness
• shrewdness
• duplicity
• deviousness
• sneakiness
• underhandedness
• guile
• slyness
• hypocrisy
• shiftiness
• fakery
• craftiness
• dishonesty
• dissimulation
• insincerity
• double-dealing
• slipperiness
• design
• slickness
• quackery
• crookedness
• wiliness
• imposture
• humbuggery
• oiliness
• shadiness
• dupery
• crookery
• cageyness
• caginess
• sharpness
• dirty tricks
• dirty pool
• foxiness
• guilefulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sincerity
• artlessness
• ingenuousness
• guilelessness
• forthrightness
• directness
• openness
• candor
• plainness
• candidness
• plainspokenness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun trickery differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trickery are deception, double-dealing, fraud, and subterfuge. While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

Where would deception be a reasonable alternative to trickery?

The meanings of deception and trickery largely overlap; however, deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

When is double-dealing a more appropriate choice than trickery?

The words double-dealing and trickery can be used in similar contexts, but double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

In what contexts can fraud take the place of trickery?

Although the words fraud and trickery have much in common, fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

When could subterfuge be used to replace trickery?

While in some cases nearly identical to trickery, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of trickery

In a recent sit-down with Haute Living, the legendary actor and martial artist shared his thoughts on the current state of Hollywood stunts, which, unlike in Chan’s heyday, is dominated by CGI and wirework trickery. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 11 May 2025

That trickery only works when the players understand the layers of the system on a detailed level. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025

This trickery is a cost-saving measure in that the orchid does not have to manufacture nectar or prodigious amounts of expensive pollen. —The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025

The trickery amounted to 36 missing watches valued at over $650,000, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a June 5 news release. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025