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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 artifice
Despite the artifice and irony, this is also an earthy film, filled with mud and blood and flesh.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 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
Then again, the artifice of the film’s tone isn’t built for reflection, anyway, and its symbols aren’t found in any individual images but in the whole rollickingly monstrous shebang.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Instead, the Buttholes embraced artifice.
—Pat Blashill, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artifice
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 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
Then again, the artifice of the film’s tone isn’t built for reflection, anyway, and its symbols aren’t found in any individual images but in the whole rollickingly monstrous shebang.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Instead, the Buttholes embraced artifice.
—Pat Blashill, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artifice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artifice
Noun
-
But authorities now believe Speight made the whole story up — and even shot himself as part of a ruse.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
How could Russ possibly sustain this ruse?—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 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
-
Dayforce will today release its annual pulse survey of roughly 7,000 workers in six countries, showing that 71% of workers have not received AI training in the past year—even though 63% of workers say developing such skills is important.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
6 Oct. 2025
-
To be funny while playing a character who’s sweet and endearing (even when calling his friends idiots) is a skill, and Bad Bunny has it.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In a chilling case of deception and domestic violence, what appeared to be months of stalking by an ex-boyfriend turned out to be an elaborate scheme orchestrated by a Colorado woman's own husband, culminating in her murder just days before Christmas.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Methods include propaganda, deception, sabotage and other non-military tactics, the alliance says.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Rosenzweig worked on dozens of complex cases as a prosecutor in the economic crimes section, which focuses on healthcare fraud, money laundering and other financial schemes.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Lions’ surprisingly poor showing against their NFC North rivals kneecapped CBS’ deliveries, although the Eye Network also didn’t get much of a lift from the new BDP scheme.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 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
-
And with that comes deceit and manipulation.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
There’s a lot of deceit, and not necessarily in an evil way.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Artifice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artifice. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share