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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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
After years of in-person success, Rae started posting on TikTok in the summer of 2024 to share the many tips and tricks she’s discovered over the years. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025 The movie still includes plenty of exciting action sequences and fun magic tricks. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
To trick the brain into believing the limb is still part of the body, and — through training, over time — averting the onset of phantom limb pain. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Nov. 2025 Scammers sometimes send fake alerts to trick people into clicking on malicious links or providing sensitive information. —Jan Diaz, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
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
  • The New York Colored American reported that some offers of short-term work for Black men — moving livestock to or from Kentucky, for example — were ruses that ended with kidnappings.
    — Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Odysseus, the Ithacan warrior who is as celebrated for craftiness as Achilles is for brute strength, devises a clever ruse in which the Greeks place a giant wooden horse outside Troy’s walls and pretend to sail away.
    — Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • People submit clips of themselves performing the prank, the original poster selects a winner, and the award is distributed in Solana tokens.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
  • According to a 2015 Time Magazine story, the tradition of benign pranks began sometime in the 1930s and 1940s in the United States, brought on perhaps as a way to defuse the tensions of economic devastation and the pain of war.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Definition of prank
Noun
  • For over 50 years, it’s been the morning soundtrack of childhood, making its bright colors, belly laughs and sing-along tunes a cozy ritual for many.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
  • What begins as a ritual to have their deepest wishes granted soon twists into a waking nightmare of survival and betrayal.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • Most analysts who spoke with said that the Senate will be a tougher feat for Democrats than the House, although there is still a lot up in the air, given ongoing and potentially upcoming redistricting plans and rules.
    — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Larson, 33, completed the feat earning the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series title during the final laps of Sunday’s race at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
    — Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of feat
Noun
  • How Design and Color Shape Perception While studies from behavioral psychologists have linked eyewear styles to traits such as intelligence and trustworthiness, certain studies on the shape of frames and the colors that come with them have been linked to certain feelings people have about them.
    — Daniel Fusch, Ascend Agency, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The only time he’s truly dazzled, and left fans bewildered, has been in game-winning scenarios, his ineffable trait.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2025
Definition of trait
Verb
  • Bode’s comment was strictly in reference to the character of the Wizard of Oz, who uses propaganda to manipulate and deceive his subjects in Wicked.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
  • As Venus enters Scorpio, your love life appears quiet, but appearances can be deceiving!
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of deceive
Adjective
  • Navigating a party exit can feel tricky, especially now as holiday parties and seasonal gatherings are in full swing.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
  • That could make representation tricky for the candidate who wins.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of tricky
Noun
  • Cherki is a dying breed of player, particularly now he’s been transferred to a Premier League which has moved away from off-the-cuff dribblers and towards set-play schemes.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Another worker operates the machine’s main controller, using a programming scheme for 3D printers called G-code to tell the printer what to build and how to build it.
    — Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of scheme

Phrases Containing trick

Browse Nearby Words

trichromatic
trick
tricked
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Cite this Entry

“Trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trick. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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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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