Synonym Chooser

How does the noun subterfuge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of subterfuge are deception, double-dealing, fraud, and trickery. While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.

obtained the papers by subterfuge

When could deception be used to replace subterfuge?

Although the words deception and subterfuge have much in common, deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

Where would double-dealing be a reasonable alternative to subterfuge?

The words double-dealing and subterfuge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

When can fraud be used instead of subterfuge?

In some situations, the words fraud and subterfuge are roughly equivalent. However, fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

When is trickery a more appropriate choice than subterfuge?

The words trickery and subterfuge can be used in similar contexts, but trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

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 subterfuge On the other side of this triangle, Conrad has his own Belly-management system, which relies heavily on subterfuge and mostly comes down to attempts to feed her. Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025 An especially Jewish theme in the seventeenth century was not only the necessity but the dignity of subterfuge; to have lived in the shadows of another people’s empire had a nobility of its own, captured in this exquisite and ambivalent image. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 19 July 2025 People generally might not realize the subterfuge at play. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 The facility had been subject to sabotage and subterfuge by Israel for many years even before these attacks–including a computer virus that wrecked the centrifuges over a decade ago. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for subterfuge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subterfuge
Noun
  • Everything can be used as a tool for good and to build, or for bad and destruction and deception.
    Marc Malkin, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The question now is whether our ability to detect deception can evolve as fast as the tools that create it.
    Big Think, Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And when the surviving crew interrogates the android Ash about his treachery, the book has him pretty much spill the space beans.
    Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
  • When does compromise become treachery or defeat?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And yet Broncos' run game and offensive trickery isn't working.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Later on in the opening frame, the Knights extended their lead with some trickery.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • When Hamilton refused him legal help, Reynolds told all who would listen that the Treasury secretary had masterminded his financial chicanery.
    Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Democrats have stood still for this chicanery every time it’s been tried in the past.
    Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But bringing in Leo Rivas was perfect gamesmanship The Mariners love to play matchup with their DH spot, seeking opportunities for Mitch Garver against lefties and Dom Canzone against righties.
    The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The tale of Rip Van Winkle is nested within various layers of storytelling, to a degree that can be confounding even for contemporary readers accustomed to such authorial gamesmanship.
    John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And though O’Neil, who has been inside, says the building itself is in no shape for skullduggery, that doesn’t mean said skullduggery isn’t happening elsewhere.
    A.K. Whitney, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The American people are seeking solace and inspiration from its leaders, not pettiness and skullduggery.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Over on her own page, Deahl reshared the post to her Instagram Stories with a few sentences addressing the secrecy.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … TRIAL TACTICS – Legal expert unpacks defense challenges, why evidence secrecy could be crucial in Charlie Kirk case.
    , FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Subterfuge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subterfuge. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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