Thesaurus results for RUSE

Q: How is the word 'ruse' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of ruse are artifice , feint , maneuver , stratagem , trick , and wile . While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression. // the ruses of smugglers

Q: When would 'artifice' be a good substitute for 'ruse'?

The meanings of artifice and ruse largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention. // the clever artifices of the stage

Q: When is it sensible to use 'feint' instead of 'ruse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to ruse , feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent. // a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Q: When might 'maneuver' be a better fit than 'ruse'?

In some situations, the words maneuver and ruse are roughly equivalent. However, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty. // last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

Q: When can 'stratagem' be used instead of 'ruse'?

The synonyms stratagem and ruse are sometimes interchangeable, but stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy. // the stratagem -filled game

Q: When could 'trick' be used to replace 'ruse'?

The words trick and ruse can be used in similar contexts, but trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end. // the tricks of the trade

Q: When is 'wile' a more appropriate choice than 'ruse'?

Although the words wile and ruse have much in common, wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements. // used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

ruse

noun

Definition of ruse next

as in prank

an act that is used to fool someone His act was just a clever ruse to get me to go out with him.

Related Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ruse are artifice, feint, maneuver, stratagem, trick, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When would artifice be a good substitute for ruse?

The meanings of artifice and ruse largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When is it sensible to use feint instead of ruse?

While in some cases nearly identical to ruse, feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

When might maneuver be a better fit than ruse?

In some situations, the words maneuver and ruse are roughly equivalent. However, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When can stratagem be used instead of ruse?

The synonyms stratagem and ruse are sometimes interchangeable, but stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When could trick be used to replace ruse?

The words trick and ruse can be used in similar contexts, but trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

When is wile a more appropriate choice than ruse?

Although the words wile and ruse have much in common, 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 ruse The ruse was surprisingly straightforward. —

Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 17 June 2026 Tsietsi was delighted by the ruse. —

Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 The ruse helped secure them more gigs, and Milo Greene was soon adopted as the band's moniker. —

Amy MacKelden, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 Adolf Hitler wasn’t completely fooled, and about four million mines were planted on the beaches, but the ruse worked well enough that, even as the landings got underway, some German commanders doubted Normandy was the main attack. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ruse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruse

Noun

In the special, Arcuri tackles topics like marital pranks and urinal mind games while contending, on the more serious side, with his wife Katie Thurston’s cancer journey.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 June 2026
These are the kinds of hijinks fans came to expect, evoking all the feelings of a fun day at summer camp… with maybe a slightly higher volume of pranks.

— Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026

Definition of prank

Noun

So, that's a kind of deception.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 23 June 2026
The county argues the grand jury fundamentally misunderstood what happened before the explosion, saying its investigation relied on speculation instead of evidence and wrongly blamed county officials for a criminal enterprise prosecutors say was built on years of deception.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

Boutique gems, new offers win the day Elevated VIP-style vacays with truffles, oysters and bubbly are attainable with some tips and tricks.

— Kathryn Streeter, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Sora Shirai captured victory after maintaining his lead through the best trick section, while teammates Kairi Netsuke and Toa Sasaki climbed from the bottom of the leaderboard with clutch final tricks to complete a Japanese podium sweep.

— Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

Edward Bernays might have urged consultation with a shrink like his uncle, Dr. Freud, to help communicate their conflicting stratagems.

— Peter Bart, Deadline, 4 June 2026
Photograph by Glen Wilson / Lionsgate Fuqua’s low-key approach is both a natural expression of his personality and a shrewd stratagem to reassure people around him that everything is under control.

— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026