Thesaurus results for STRATAGEM

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

Some common synonyms of stratagem are artifice , feint , maneuver , ruse , trick , and wile . While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy. // the stratagem -filled game

Q: In what contexts can 'artifice' take the place of 'stratagem'?

While in some cases nearly identical to stratagem , artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention. // the clever artifices of the stage

Q: When is 'feint' a more appropriate choice than 'stratagem'?

The synonyms feint and stratagem are sometimes interchangeable, but feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent. // a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Q: When could 'maneuver' be used to replace 'stratagem'?

The meanings of maneuver and stratagem largely overlap; however, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty. // last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

Q: Where would 'ruse' be a reasonable alternative to 'stratagem'?

The words ruse and stratagem are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression. // the ruses of smugglers

Q: When would 'trick' be a good substitute for 'stratagem'?

While the synonyms trick and stratagem are close in meaning, trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end. // the tricks of the trade

Q: When is it sensible to use 'wile' instead of 'stratagem'?

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

stratagem

noun

ˈstra-tə-jəm

Definition of stratagem next

as in ruse

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end tried various stratagems to get the cat into the carrier, but the feisty feline was wise to them all

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of stratagem are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, trick, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

In what contexts can artifice take the place of stratagem?

While in some cases nearly identical to stratagem, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When is feint a more appropriate choice than stratagem?

The synonyms feint and stratagem are sometimes interchangeable, but feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

When could maneuver be used to replace stratagem?

The meanings of maneuver and stratagem largely overlap; however, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

Where would ruse be a reasonable alternative to stratagem?

The words ruse and stratagem are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When would trick be a good substitute for stratagem?

While the synonyms trick and stratagem are close in meaning, trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

When is it sensible to use wile instead of stratagem?

Although the words wile and stratagem 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 stratagem Anxiety and too many stratagems like Wordle and spelling bees online to avoid actually writing. —

Literary Hub, 11 Nov. 2025 Night after night the stratagem was repeated successfully. —

Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025 The scene is straight out of a stratagem by Pier Paolo Pasolini (Bertolucci’s mentor), but Palud takes it literally without applying comparable ideological critique to the rest of her film. —

Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025 In this scheme, the batteries provide the burst of power needed to take off, a stratagem that lets technicians tune the fuel-burning engine to run at its ideal rate. —

IEEE Spectrum, 1 June 2018 See All Example Sentences for stratagem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stratagem

Noun

Federal agents are currently roaming cities under the ruse of going after murderers and rapists but are instead pulling anyone who doesn't fit their idea of what an American looks like out of cars, homes and schools using thuggish methods.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
The filmmakers also planned to bookend the story with the reminiscences of the older Kirk and Spock — a cunning ruse to get the headline power of Shatner and Nimoy in the movie.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 18 Jan. 2026