ruse

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 McGriff allegedly tried the ruse at a nearby house first but was turned away, Tisch said. Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025 As told to the Economist podcast Scam Inc, this was all a ruse. Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Today’s shortsighted, sellout city politicians are killing the golden goose under the ruse that affordable housing is the be-all and the end-all of life in San Diego. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025 Kurt's key takeaway Phishing scams are constantly evolving, and the DocuSign Apple Pay ruse is just one of many. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruse
Noun
  • Her ascent in the digital content space started out with prank phone calls and comedy sketches inspired by her Southern Belle upbringing that drew over 3 million followers on TikTok.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The show takes that fleeting prank and asks what happens when disguise isn’t a joke but a lifeline, when the mask becomes the only face the world will accept.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 30 Sep. 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
  • The most exciting feature is the realistic mask, though, which has mesh eyes for kids to see through while trick-or-treating, and an adjustable strap to fit their head properly.
    Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Perhaps most frustrating, two Johnson attempts to dig into his trick bag misfired.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The act of subterfuge was particularly common in the 2000s, amidst America’s unpopular foreign policy and the country’s invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.
    Vivian Song, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The trial was a kangaroo circus packed with sophism, subterfuge, and courtroom chicanery.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Night after night the stratagem was repeated successfully.
    Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025
  • For people like Soriano, however, the elections are about more than political stratagem and determining which family holds the most nominal power.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 13 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Ruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruse. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ruse

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