Synonyms of ruse

ruse

noun

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

• prank
• deception
• trick
• subterfuge
• stratagem
• fooling
• trickery
• joking
• deceit
• maneuver
• sham
• experience
• delusion
• stunt
• caper
• fraud
• escapade
• gag
• deed
• practical joke
• hoodwinking
• wile
• lark
• knavery
• antic
• whim
• roguery
• hanky-panky
• capriccio
• skylarking
• play
• shavie
• rag
• hoax
• dido
• ploy
• shine(s)
• monkeyshine(s)
• adventure
• waggery
• frolic
• horseplay
• tomfoolery
• jest
• gambit
• time
• high jinks
• rowdyism
• teasing
• roughhousing
• game
• kidding
• mission
• feat
• shenanigan(s)
• performance
• vagary
• whimsy
• conceit
• caprice
• fancy

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

Recent Examples of ruse

Ben Affleck's Argo is a real film about the ruse of making a fake film to help rescue real-life hostages in Iran. — Kevin P. Sullivan, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026

Early the next morning, the authorities were at Burdette’s door, this time without a ruse. — Keith O’Brien, New Yorker, 25 June 2026

Of course, this could all be a literally and figurative swift ruse on the part of the Miss Americana superstar and her Super Bowl-winning fiancé. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 June 2026

Several individuals from the white sprinter van, who were dressed as construction workers, were said to have used that ruse to gain access to the alleyway and fire escape system located behind the store by entering an East 58th Street building nearby that was under construction. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 22 June 2026