trick 1 of 3

1
2
3
4
as in feat
an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness it'd be quite a trick to hit that target from here

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

trick

2 of 3

verb

trick

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trick different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of trick are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and wile. While all these words 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

When could artifice be used to replace trick?

Although the words artifice and trick have much in common, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for trick?

The words feint and trick can be used in similar contexts, but feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can maneuver take the place of trick?

While in some cases nearly identical to trick, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When can ruse be used instead of trick?

While the synonyms ruse and trick are close in meaning, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of trick?

In some situations, the words stratagem and trick are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When is wile a more appropriate choice than trick?

The meanings of wile and trick largely overlap; however, wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trick
Noun
The World of Creativity, meanwhile, takes you along the journey of ingenuity and also has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 May 2025 Practice makes perfect, and this recipe is a perfect place to start—follow our tips and tricks for making this classic Italian dish. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 27 May 2025
Verb
This is hardly a spoiler; Gustav’s lies wouldn’t trick a kitten. Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 May 2025 The goal is to trick unsuspecting users into sending their cryptocurrency to the hackers. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 May 2025
Adjective
As Halloween approaches, investors seem fearful that good credit performance may be more trick than treat. Telis Demos, WSJ, 21 Oct. 2022 If the high cost of it all is more trick than treat for you, here are several ways to turn your already smart home into a spook-tacularly genius haunted house. Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2021 See All Example Sentences for trick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trick
Noun
  • Important claims, like whether or not the Los Angeles wildfires were merely a ruse to hide pedophiles.
    Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 18 May 2025
  • But a Southern California man and his co-conspirators devised an elaborate ruse — involving a boatload of fake orders and manipulation of the company’s software — that netted them millions, prosecutors say.
    Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The couple, who have four kids, loves sharing their love on TikTok, so after the prank, Abbie decided to compile some of the photos together and post them.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 26 May 2025
  • Jax dialed the number to prank call Sanders during the draft.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • After Mosey was accused of rape, Bruny urged him to partake in a Haitian rum-bath ritual; when Mosey was acquitted in March 2023, Bruny told him the voodoo gods had taken a hand in the verdict.
    Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
  • For in this ritual, there is no veil between life and death.
    Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • That Airwallex has emerged as a global leader is no small feat.
    Cat Wang, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, two of Sleep Token’s members, Vessel I and Vessel II, also achieve a notable feat.
    Xander Zellner, Billboard, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Rethinking the meaning of de-extinction Bringing back a species like the dire wolf isn’t just a matter of getting the fur right or tweaking a few visible traits.
    Elay Shech, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
  • Really, all Morgan Plus 8s are much the same, and promise a perfectly delightful driving experience, offering the most traditional British roadster traits in a car that can easily keep up in modern traffic.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Their book has already generated a national debate about whether the White House deceived the public about the president’s condition and how Biden’s late exit from the race undermined the Democratic Party’s chances of stopping a second term for President Trump.
    Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
  • Although Bristol’s spring race may appear to have sparse crowds, this is somewhat deceiving.
    Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • How Milwaukee replaces Lopez is going to be tricky.
    Ryan Stano, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • Please advise me how to navigate this tricky territory with respect and kindness.
    Judith Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • The scheme was investigated by several federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • That includes knowing the scheme in the run game, being violent at the point of attack.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trick. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on trick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!