1
as in ruses
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
Relevance
2
as in pranks
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in rituals
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in feats
an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness
it'd be quite a trick to hit that target from here
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in traits
an odd or peculiar habit
a dog with the trick of eating cabbage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fools
to cause to believe what is untrue
you tricked me into thinking my ex wasn't coming to the party tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tricks
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
There are likely between 20,000 and 50,000 species of mycorrhizal fungi, each with its own tricks for tapping into different plants and harvesting nutrients using enzymes, acids, and water-mining structures.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
Partygoers were additionally wowed by Stephen Kent's magic tricks and participated in different carnival games.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Also returning is the robotic dog known as Bailey Circuit, who does tricks and makes funny noises.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Across social media, videos show pups reacting to everything from fake treats and disappearing acts to harmless tricks like surprising them on walks outside, leaving them confused, curious and hilariously offended.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Many seemingly complex magic tricks rely on a simple mix of old-fashioned sleight-of-hand and misdirection.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Tiffany has a few tricks up its sleeve that aren’t jewelry or limited-edition chronograph, one of which is this shapely teapot.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Maybe the tricks learned during this trial can help drivers form some better, cheaper habits to continue when gas prices inevitably decrease again.
—Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Oppo has some additional fun software tricks up its sleeve.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
Specific to the Celimax formula, the Vita A Retinal Shot contains matrixyl 3000, an anti-aging peptide, that tricks your skin to produce more collagen, leading to firmer, tighter looking skin.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Freeing up floor space by mounting items on walls or using floating furniture tricks the eye into seeing a larger room.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026
Based on the real-life heroine’s memoir from a few years earlier, the movie centered on an Iranian man who tricks his American wife into going to the country and traps her there, using their child as a hostage.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
So Hero, sadly, poor thing was subjected to his uncle’s terrible bad dad tricks.
—Max Gao, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2026
Wasps are territorial, so hanging a fake nest near a problem area tricks them into thinking another colony has already claimed the space.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
One of the dangers of the Midwestern climate is a late-winter warm spell that thaws the soil and tricks bulbs and other plants into sprouting too early.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
Small visual tricks are ubiquitous yet nothing here feels tacky.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
There are likely between 20,000 and 50,000 species of mycorrhizal fungi, each with its own tricks for tapping into different plants and harvesting nutrients using enzymes, acids, and water-mining structures.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
Partygoers were additionally wowed by Stephen Kent's magic tricks and participated in different carnival games.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Also returning is the robotic dog known as Bailey Circuit, who does tricks and makes funny noises.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Across social media, videos show pups reacting to everything from fake treats and disappearing acts to harmless tricks like surprising them on walks outside, leaving them confused, curious and hilariously offended.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Many seemingly complex magic tricks rely on a simple mix of old-fashioned sleight-of-hand and misdirection.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Tiffany has a few tricks up its sleeve that aren’t jewelry or limited-edition chronograph, one of which is this shapely teapot.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Maybe the tricks learned during this trial can help drivers form some better, cheaper habits to continue when gas prices inevitably decrease again.
—Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Pitt sometimes tricks us about a character by giving us one perspective on them for a long time before revealing something totally different.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Oppo has some additional fun software tricks up its sleeve.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
Specific to the Celimax formula, the Vita A Retinal Shot contains matrixyl 3000, an anti-aging peptide, that tricks your skin to produce more collagen, leading to firmer, tighter looking skin.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Freeing up floor space by mounting items on walls or using floating furniture tricks the eye into seeing a larger room.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026
Based on the real-life heroine’s memoir from a few years earlier, the movie centered on an Iranian man who tricks his American wife into going to the country and traps her there, using their child as a hostage.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
So Hero, sadly, poor thing was subjected to his uncle’s terrible bad dad tricks.
—Max Gao, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2026
Wasps are territorial, so hanging a fake nest near a problem area tricks them into thinking another colony has already claimed the space.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
One of the dangers of the Midwestern climate is a late-winter warm spell that thaws the soil and tricks bulbs and other plants into sprouting too early.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tricks
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
-
Many suspect a spam call and don't pick up the phone, leading foundation staff to sometimes devise ruses.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Of course, the pranks are all in good fun, with owners keeping things safe and playful.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
According to a 2025 roundup of April Fools’ food promotions by the New York Post, several national brands followed Dunkin’s lead by offering tangible rewards instead of traditional pranks.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Humiliation rituals were driving players away from the game.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The film shifts the focus from traditional narratives of policy and victimhood to the everyday experiences of individuals adapting to a life of constant threat, raising critical questions about whether these safety rituals signify true preparedness or a surrender to violence.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, curating a guide like this is even more rare than both of those tremendous feats.—
Andre James,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Five times in 33 seasons resulted in a ring, and more than half of the feats involved Michael Jordan.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Drew Allar is a walking collection of top-end NFL quarterback traits, too — there is no reason a QB with that type of physical talent should be waiting around late into Day 3.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Engineering or selecting for climate resilient traits in one species does not guarantee the survival of the many others that depend on it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What fools these non-OpenAI mortals must be.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Other options, such as red light therapy caps, are non-invasive devices that use low-level light therapy to stimulate hair follicles and increase density.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Reviewing those can determine if more specific devices are covered by Cinch’s plans.—
Caroline Ernst,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Attending a joust is one of the quintessential renaissance festival experiences.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Two of the pre-tournament favorites, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, would like to hit the reset button on their 2026 Masters experiences.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tricks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tricks. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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