Thesaurus results for STRATAGEMS

stratagems

noun

plural of stratagem

as in ruses

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

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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 stratagems There’s a delightful secret history of Hollywood directors whose ruses and stratagems bought them an unusual amount of leeway with their scripts. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026 There are some other fun stats in there, including a ranking of the game's most popular stratagems. — Ian Stokes, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stratagems

Noun

There’s a delightful secret history of Hollywood directors whose ruses and stratagems bought them an unusual amount of leeway with their scripts.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
Even before pro-party AI ruses were possible, the Chinese government and its supporters flooded social media with pro-China propaganda and vicious attacks on critics.

— Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of ruses

Noun

The Eagles are shifting away from their usual vertical, power run-blocking schemes to a wide-zone blocking scheme, while making plays less predictable by making run and pass plays look similar.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
In an ideal world Jeff Hafley’s game plans, schemes and play calls put the Dolphins in position to win games if the execution is sharp and the turnover are kept to a minimum.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of schemes

Noun

Based on the novel by Daniel Pinkwater, Lizard Music follows a boy (Leber) left to his own devices who stumbles upon a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music — a hidden door to the extraordinary then swinging open.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Anyone using their phone during the set will be escorted out of the venue, and if needed, devices can be unlocked and used in special areas of each venue.

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of devices

Noun

There’s an almost comically blasé way in which the performers — who are used to such spectacles — go about their work an hour before thousands of audience members will gasp and clap at the same tricks.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
But when there isn’t a live event, the venue has been developing a slate of original programming that can run all day and night, with a few 4D tricks up its sleeve too.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of tricks

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stratagem

stratagems

strategic

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“Stratagems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stratagems. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stratagems

noun

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