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

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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 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 Even as cracks began to appear in her story, Parker doubled down on the deception, fabricating medical records and pregnancy updates to keep the ruse alive. —

Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026 The ruse was surprisingly straightforward. —

Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ruse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruse

Noun

Those ticket sales rank as the worst opening in the prank comedy series that’s all about risking life, limb and dignity.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 June 2026
Police used the incident to warn the public that pranks involving Orbeez guns, airsoft guns, or other toy firearms can provoke dangerous reactions and lead to criminal charges.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Definition of prank

Noun

Guo was convicted of nine of 12 criminal charges during a seven-week trial that prosecutors said showcased his deception of thousands of investors in bogus deals that enabled Guo’s lavish lifestyle.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
By the time the deception was uncovered, the employee had authorized $25 million in transfers.

— Kevin Pierce, Forbes.com, 29 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