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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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trick

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verb

trick

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adjective

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
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
Verb
The same words apply to the title character at the film‘s center, the inscrutable and seemingly unscrupulous Hedda Gabler (a magnetic Tessa Thompson), here yanked firmly from the late 20th century setting of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play into the ’50s, and not missing a single trick along the way. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025 The new rocket has a few surprising tricks up its sleeves, though. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
YouTube stars Dude Perfect are putting their stunts and trick shots (mostly) to the side for their latest offering. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 The name of the application was not revealed, but Reuters reported a surge in cyberattacks that trick employees in the U.S and Europe into opening their company’s Salesforce databases. Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trick
Noun
  • Today’s shortsighted, sellout city politicians are killing the golden goose under the ruse that affordable housing is the be-all and the end-all of life in San Diego.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The agent, keeping up the ruse, continued to push her on the phone for several minutes.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Brown was charged with misdemeanor misusing 911 — a charge one expert said is typically brought against prank callers, not those in a mental crisis.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Still, Shannon promised, no pranks this time, because the movie at hand is too important.
    Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Shot against the stunning backdrops of New Zealand, the campaign shows how even the smallest moments of a morning ritual — from the hiss of steam to the first swirl of crema — can embody calm and indulgence.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Their 13th album, International, interprets the ritual of early retirement sendoff as a boisterous dance party with plenty of music royalty cameos showing up to pay their respects.
    Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Scott was recently appointed the creative director of Proenza Schouler; not a small feat, especially for a Black woman hailing from Jamaica.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025
  • What about a drone, which could easily manage the feat?
    Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Those traits all kind of culminated in me joining the Kansas City Defender around the time of the protests.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Shoddy-Mushroom-8456/Shoddy-Mushroom-8456 Others thought Bella could be a Goldador—a popular cross between a golden retriever and a Labrador retriever, combining the traits of both breeds.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Looks can be deceiving, Cali said.
    Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
  • There is some relief on the way, but do not be deceived.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The cost of living continues to increase for Americans at a time when the job market appears to be on shakier footing, creating a complicated economic problem that could be tricky to solve.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Health insurance coverage could also prove tricky.
    Rob Stein, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Paul looks the part and Savaiinaea has the footwork and athleticism needed to thrive in this zone-blocking scheme.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Park’s character in Confidence Queen Park sets one clever trap after another, fitting each scheme into a larger puzzle.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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