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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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
As Halloween approaches, investors seem fearful that good credit performance may be more trick than treat. —Telis Demos, WSJ, 21 Oct. 2022 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
Verb
The real trick to a tasty glass of sangria takes place in the pitcher. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 June 2025 None of the foursome has booked a spot in the Round of 16 just yet, but a positive result in their third and final group stage contests will do the trick. —Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
The vivid term describes scams in which con men build up the trust of a victim over time, and then trick them into handing over large amounts of money. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 19 June 2025 The scammer can then trick the caller into handing over personal or payment card details or allow remote access to their computer. —ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025 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 police investigation that followed included surveillance and a ruse where investigators answered local prostitution ads and were directed to the home.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
  • But this ruse is like the broader trans movement itself, which obliges you to deny the evidence dangling before your own eyes.
    — The Editors, National Review, 4 June 2025
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • During their chat, the conversation turned to some of their less savory SNL jokes, including pranks behind the scenes.
    — Victoria Edel, People.com, 20 June 2025
  • Spring break is around the corner, and every parent knows the challenge of keeping kids entertained without resorting to handing over their smartphone for an endless scroll of prank videos.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Definition of prank
Noun
  • Jumping off the bridge into the water is a summer ritual for thrill seekers of all ages, despite the warning signs that are posted nearby.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
  • The church’s ritual of confirmation, which marks the passage from adolescence into adulthood, also acquired legal status.
    — Thomas A. DuBois, The Conversation, 27 June 2025
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • But being an innovator on the long run — and therefore one of WWD’s Originals — is no mean feat, particularly in the early days.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
  • The challenge combines the physical feat with a second goal for participants to raise funds to support conservation activities within the San Dieguito River watershed.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025
Definition of feat
Noun
  • The Dalmatian Club of America, for example, spent decades urging breeders to euthanize deaf puppies so the trait wouldn’t spread.
    — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025
  • Additionally, the study also found a correlation between breathing traits and a person’s mental health.
    — Jay Kakade June 22, New Atlas, 22 June 2025
Definition of trait
Verb
  • The person is not trying to deceive or control, but the behavior still affects others and requires self awareness and growth to correct.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
  • Where was this sense of urgency when the mullahs were attempting to deceive U.N. inspectors while sandbagging U.S. efforts to diplomatically scuttle the country’s nuclear efforts?
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 21 June 2025
Definition of deceive
Adjective
  • Such overnight visits with romantic partners can be tricky, McCready notes.
    — Leanne Italie, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
  • But the squall on the water was separate, less substantial in terms of both space and duration — and trickier to foresee, according to Colin McKellar, a meteorologist who was on duty Saturday in Reno.
    — Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
Definition of tricky
Noun
  • Galeotti said these schemes can increase the national deficit and threaten the long-term viability of health care for seniors, individuals with disabilities and other citizens who need these programs.
    — Jenna Sundel Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • And most recycling schemes are still small-scale, unable to keep up with the sheer volume of cheap and short-use clothing flowing through the system.
    — Zoe Bayliss Wong, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Definition of scheme

Phrases Containing trick

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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 3 Jul. 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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