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.

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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 Antoine’s art dealer Armand (Lellouche), desperate to keep Antoine from falling apart, urges Suzanne to keep the ruse alive. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026 Variations of this classic ruse are documented around the world, dating back centuries. —

Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026 Chalker said that, at least for him, the curious-scientist ruse never worked. —

David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026 Maria stayed behind at the castle to maintain the ruse, turning on the light in Hugo’s study at the usual time. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ruse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruse

Noun

However, Wyle didn’t let the prank get in the way of his professionalism.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
And compared to some of Fleury’s past pranks on teammates, a few misplaced letters on a nameplate would be relatively light.

— Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026