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wile

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wile different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of wile are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and trick. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

When can artifice be used instead of wile?

The synonyms artifice and wile are sometimes interchangeable, but artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for wile?

The words feint and wile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

When is maneuver a more appropriate choice than wile?

The words maneuver and wile can be used in similar contexts, but maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When could ruse be used to replace wile?

Although the words ruse and wile have much in common, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

Where would stratagem be a reasonable alternative to wile?

In some situations, the words stratagem and wile 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 it sensible to use trick instead of wile?

While in some cases nearly identical to wile, trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

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 wile
Noun
Tiffany Renee Johnson does well in showing the two sides of Senegalese braider Aminata, who is proud and dignified with her peers, but vulnerable to the wiles of her cheating, out-of-work husband. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025 Still, the unscrupulous Moss uses his wiles and his belligerent way with words to try selling Aaronow on the idea of breaking into the office. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Will Smith stars as a penniless Anthony Ramos lookalike fish named Oscar, who wiles away his days scrubbing cetaceans’ tongues clean in the 'Whale Wash,' fantasizing about the good life. Them, 23 Dec. 2024 Disney is betting travelers will be wiling to pay a premium for an elevated Disney experience. Bruce Gil, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for wile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wile
Noun
  • The scammers could also use your account to scam others out of money with the same verification ruse for passengers and drivers.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • The elaborate ruse was likely an effort to steal cryptocurrency, which Lazarus has become known for.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • This deception couldn’t come at a worse time for America’s debt.
    Thomas Kahn, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Unlike earlier studies that uncovered evasion or deception, this research exposed a more alarming phenomenon: models calculating that unethical behavior was a justifiable strategy for survival.
    Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Long fascinated by the moa, Jackson and Walsh have been collecting bones of the extinct bird for years.
    Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
  • Michael Karin has long been fascinated by what happens when inflammation — ideally a short-term burst of biological activity to promote healing or fight infection — turns chronic and potentially deadly.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • The universe is playing tricks on you this week, Scorpio, especially in relation to career matters, your public persona or situations involving authority.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 13 July 2025
  • Year: 1978 Director: Richard Donner Runtime: 2h 7m Later in life, Christopher Reeve explained the trick to playing the Man of Steel.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The six-parter, to debut July 14, follows six groups of friends, and six historical cases of murder and treachery among them.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
  • But amid the bloodbaths and treacheries, Westeros still penciled in time for a little romance — some more compelling than others (Jon and Ygritte > Jon and Daenerys).
    Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.
    Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
  • On July 4, your celestial ruler, Venus, entered the sparkly and witty sign of Gemini, charming your ninth house of experience and self-discovery.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • In the film, Superman comes under suspicion by the public and the government over his Kryptonian heritage thanks to a scheme by tech billionaire Luthor to push Superman out of the way of his grand plans to expand his criminal enterprise worldwide.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Two sources told Reuters he was suspected of being involved in a scheme to embezzle millions of dollars earmarked for border defenses.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Innovative feats of trickery are infused with the world of weed.
    Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • Fiscal conservatives hated the massive spending and budget trickery.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wile. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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