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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
This trick can keep stuffed animals, pantyhose, delicate materials like lace and silk, or sweaters from getting snagged or losing shape during the wash cycle. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025 Nextdoor trick or treat map Make trick-or-treating more enjoyable — and more bountiful — for all ages by using a map. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
On the same day OpenAI introduced its ChatGPT Atlas browser, Brave Software published details on how to trick AI browsers into carrying out malicious instructions. PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 Sometimes a smart executive or friend or my wife will trick me into talking about it. Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trick
Noun
  • But federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say the ex-athletes and all the other players were in on a ruse, using technology to rig the outcome.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • But the ruse hits a snag when Taylor's boss (Tia Mowry) starts to question Hugh Mann's credentials, and Taylor starts dating the son of the resort owner (New Amsterdam's Ryan Eggold).
    Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Anoka, Minnesota, began its Halloween celebrations in 1920 to curb destructive pranks by local youths.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Instead, the suspects resold them both in Spain and abroad, including in Morocco and Romania, turning what might seem like a small-scale prank into a lucrative criminal enterprise.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rather than nagging or framing missteps as failures, create initiation rituals that cue the brain to shift into work mode.
    Ana Homayoun, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Other WAGs observe pre-kickoff rituals, like hosting tailgates, saying prayers or gathering their whole family together to watch the action.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Adding a 3,000-bed correctional facility as a customer of a water treatment network in a city with a population of about 3,600 people is no small feat, according to Ozark Mayor Roxie Hall.
    Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025
  • More than ninety years after its release, Freaks is remembered as a Pre-Code Hollywood cult classic and an uncommon artistic feat (it was added to the National Film Registry in 1994).
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This trait is due to Virgo’s desire to get along with everyone and keep the drama to a minimum.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.
    Kelly McGreal , Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, the term itself was an epithet throughout the founding era, a way to describe ignorant and easily deceived popular majorities, perpetually vulnerable to demagogues.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Of course someone like Denji would fall for it, and in a way, the desire to be deceived is actually an important aspect of romantic feelings.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When Salah was left out away at Galatasaray last month, Slot could sell it as keeping him fresh given the trip to Turkey fell between tricky Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • How to Open a Pomegranate While their health benefits are worth it, pomegranates aren't a grab-and-go snack and can be tricky to cut into and remove the seeds.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the below example, against Real Oviedo’s zonal scheme protecting the six-yard box, three players run away from goal and one to the near-post to attack Marcus Rashford’s outswinger, resulting in Araujo scoring.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • All of that has left the Heat seeking answers in the immediate aftermath of Rozier’s Thursday arrest stemming from his alleged involvement in a sports betting scheme.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trick. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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