trick 1 of 3

noun

ˈtrik How to pronounce trick (audio)
Definition of tricknext
1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end her husband used every trick in the book to get out of appearing in his parish's fashion show

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2
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke thought that gluing the silver dollar to the floor and watching him struggle to pick it up would be a good trick

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3
as in ritual
a usual manner of behaving or doing that deadbeat is up to his usual tricks: once again he's claiming the check is in the mail

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4
as in feat
an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness it'd be quite a trick to hit that target from here

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5
as in trait
an odd or peculiar habit a dog with the trick of eating cabbage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trick

2 of 3

verb

as in to deceive
to cause to believe what is untrue you tricked me into thinking my ex wasn't coming to the party tonight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trick

3 of 3

adjective

as in tricky

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of trick are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

When could artifice be used to replace trick?

Although the words artifice and trick have much in common, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for trick?

The words feint and trick can be used in similar contexts, but feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can maneuver take the place of trick?

While in some cases nearly identical to trick, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When can ruse be used instead of trick?

While the synonyms ruse and trick are close in meaning, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of trick?

In some situations, the words stratagem and trick are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When is wile a more appropriate choice than trick?

The meanings of wile and trick largely overlap; however, wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

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

Some common synonyms of trick are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

When could artifice be used to replace trick?

Although the words artifice and trick have much in common, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for trick?

The words feint and trick can be used in similar contexts, but feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can maneuver take the place of trick?

While in some cases nearly identical to trick, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When can ruse be used instead of trick?

While the synonyms ruse and trick are close in meaning, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of trick?

In some situations, the words stratagem and trick are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When is wile a more appropriate choice than trick?

The meanings of wile and trick largely overlap; however, wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

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

Some common synonyms of trick are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

When could artifice be used to replace trick?

Although the words artifice and trick have much in common, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for trick?

The words feint and trick can be used in similar contexts, but feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can maneuver take the place of trick?

While in some cases nearly identical to trick, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When can ruse be used instead of trick?

While the synonyms ruse and trick are close in meaning, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of trick?

In some situations, the words stratagem and trick are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When is wile a more appropriate choice than trick?

The meanings of wile and trick largely overlap; however, 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 trick
Noun
Card tricks and sleight of hand, that sort of thing. —Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026 The trick is getting in the habit of drying out your coffee maker every day. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Scammers impersonating the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles are trying to trick and threaten residents into paying fraudulent fees, agency officials said. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026 Earlier Wednesday, journalists were shown equipment confiscated in raids elsewhere, including uniforms and fake identification cards used by scammers to pose online as Japanese police officers to trick and intimidate victims. —ABC News, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
If the high cost of it all is more trick than treat for you, here are several ways to turn your already smart home into a spook-tacularly genius haunted house. —Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2021 And arguably, given the variety of cask types used by the distillery, Angel’s Envy is actually a multi-trick pony. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 June 2021 See All Example Sentences for trick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trick
  1. ruse
  2. prank
  3. ritual
  4. feat
  5. trait
  6. deceive
  7. tricky
  8. scheme
Noun
  • As part of the ruse to extract her from Venezuela, Machado wore a disguise to leave the country, violating Venezuela’s then-travel ban, according to the Associated Press.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Director Ben Affleck also stars in the historical thriller (and a sort of salute to the movies) about the CIA using a fake sci-fi movie as a ruse to rescue diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • The family of a Hall County teacher killed in what investigators say was a prank gone wrong is asking authorities to drop charges against the teens involved.
    — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The longtime teacher knew the teens were coming to pull a prank on him and was waiting to catch them in the act, the family's statement said.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of prank
Noun
  • Wunmi also developed a curious daily ritual of coming home every day after primary school, drinking cartons of long-life milk, and watching Annie.
    — Kemi Alemoru, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026
  • But doing so doesn't mean completely eliminating the morning ritual of sipping on a hot (or iced) beverage.
    — Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • Completing her crown jewel was no easy feat, with the location itself taking over half a decade to nail down.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Those viewpoints have merit, and there’s a worthy discussion to be had about Gilgeous-Alexander’s methods, but all that nuance and negativity should fall by the wayside in honor of his remarkable feat.
    — Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of feat
Noun
  • Despite those attractive traits, UPFs have been linked to cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and even low muscle mass.
    — Marisa McMillan, Outside, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Engages in effective conflict resolution Handling conflict in a healthy and constructive way is a key trait of a partner who would make a good parent, explains Chicvak.
    — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of trait
Verb
  • Nope, that's not your eyes deceiving you.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Months after the girl had died, a DCF worker investigating a complaint related to Torres-García’s younger sister was deceived by the children’s mother during a video chat with a person the child’s mother asked to impersonate the child, according to the agency.
    — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of deceive
Adjective
  • Dressing for spring can be tricky.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Dressing a bump can be tricky, but Mosaku shines in the Louis Vuitton sequin gown that hugs her curves.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of tricky
Noun
  • Fitting back into the scheme after his absence, James focused on setting screens for the short-handed frontcourt that was without Jaxson Hayes (back soreness) and Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain).
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • His ball production gives new defensive coordinator Christian Parker a scheme-fit defensive back that can help create turnovers for a defense that was tied for the second-least interceptions in 2025.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of scheme

Phrases Containing trick

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trick
tricked
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Cite this Entry

“Trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trick. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on trick

Nglish: Translation of trick for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trick

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