1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
used the artifice of saying his grandmother had died so that he could get the last seat on the plane
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2
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
using their artifice, the Greeks crafted a hollow wooden horse to hide inside and thereby gained entry into the city of Troy
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
a painting that could only have been created with the artifice of a master
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
a crook who is a master of artifice and manipulation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in treachery
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end
he's willing to resort to artifice to get himself out of this jam
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of artifice
The underground pop of the 2010s used to get so excited about being online, using shrinky-dink artifice to delight in poking fun at a culture that could feel shallow and strange but also organic and endlessly renewable.
—
Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
Their lack of artifice allows some of the cast’s other teen/20-something performers to go broad and big, especially Isolde Ardies, whose terrifying intensity as a sad-eyed rule-follower named Stacey is a real highlight.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
Two years of relentless violence have stripped the artifice from the Israeli political system.
—Jack Sheehan
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
As in his previous films, a clanking, rattling soundscape constructed entirely in post is an artisanal marvel, immersing viewers both in the perilous metallic din of a maybe-sinking ship, and the comforting artifice of analog movie-making.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artifice
Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
Their lack of artifice allows some of the cast’s other teen/20-something performers to go broad and big, especially Isolde Ardies, whose terrifying intensity as a sad-eyed rule-follower named Stacey is a real highlight.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
Two years of relentless violence have stripped the artifice from the Israeli political system.
—Jack Sheehan
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
As in his previous films, a clanking, rattling soundscape constructed entirely in post is an artisanal marvel, immersing viewers both in the perilous metallic din of a maybe-sinking ship, and the comforting artifice of analog movie-making.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artifice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artifice
Noun
-
But the ruse hits a snag when Taylor's boss (Tia Mowry) starts to question Hugh Mann's credentials, and Taylor starts dating the son of the resort owner (New Amsterdam's Ryan Eggold).—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
My office was among those that were subjected to this ruse.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Federico Marchetti, the Italian fashion entrepreneur, is a master of sprezzatura—the courtier’s art of cloaking ambition and cunning in an air of guileless nonchalance.—
John Seabrook,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
-
But Israeli cunning, buoyed by remarkable intelligence capabilities and precision targeting, has damaged the group.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Encourage your self-expression in verbal and written skills.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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Teachers and parents are worried that regular chatbot use could weaken important skills such as communication, empathy and critical thinking.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Neither Eliot nor Jules suspected anything, and the ease of the deception added to its pleasing sordidness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
-
On October 14, those flights revealed missile sites under construction, confirming that Soviet promises had been deliberate deception.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And when the surviving crew interrogates the android Ash about his treachery, the book has him pretty much spill the space beans.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
-
When does compromise become treachery or defeat?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His conviction stemmed from a series of criminal schemes, including submitting false campaign finance documents, misusing donor identities to route funds for personal and campaign use, and providing fraudulent information to the New York State Department of Labor and the House of Representatives.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Doors and Window Frames in a Deep Shade The final component of Berkus’ three-color scheme is the deeper tone, often a darker shade of the wall color, used for doors or window frames.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.—
Tim Greiving,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Over the course of eight episodes, the show traces how mounting pressures, deceit and betrayal led to Alex murdering Maggie and Paul in 2021.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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The phone call ignited a shocking chain of events that ultimately uncovered Murdaugh’s long history of lies and deceit, culminating in him murdering his wife and son.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Artifice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artifice. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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