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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
Several leaders have put out appeals to get funding for salaries related to the PEPFAR program, wile others have terminated staff running their HIV programs, the head of a non-profit told the Miami Herald. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025 Where Ricken sees benevolence and opportunity, Devon sees only wiles and trickery. Erik Kain, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
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
  • Can Charity, who is not exactly mentally stable, maintain the ruse forever?
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 May 2025
  • Despite multiple interviews, background checks, and reference calls, the ruse held until malware activity triggered an alert.
    Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As an escaped convict posing as a beloved preacher, and as his gentle, upright twin, Robeson embodies a devastating split between appearance and truth, and whose uncanny doubling plays out in a community shaped by racial violence, spiritual deception, and economic precarity.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
  • Ellie, however, cannot abide Joel’s deception, and interrupts to tell the truth to Gail, who then slaps Joel and tells him to leave.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The concept fascinated me—creating designs and selling custom products without needing to manage inventory.
    Sarim Nadeem, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • Hobbyist diver Dom Robinson has spent the past three decades exploring shipwrecks, which have fascinated him since childhood.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • Rea allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings, improving to 4-0 with another no-flash performance that did the trick.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
  • Label tricks, regional cues and color considerations for better picking at the wine shop.
    Rachel King, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Press play below to learn more about Wells’ treachery, and to get a sneak peek at the fugitive interacting with her latest target.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Sinners is one of the great vampire movies of the modern age, mining the legend of these perpetual outsiders who desperately yearn to belong, but whose silky promises are rooted in treachery.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Curry was charmed by Edwards’ inner Antness, that combination of swagger and soul that has All-NBA players like Randle, Towns and Gobert enthusiastically giving in to his gravitational pull.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • Here’s a two-in-one shelf and coat rack that oozes charm thanks to the playful scalloped detail outlining each hook.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Hometown’s stock price rose by more than 900% during the scheme.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 13 May 2025
  • In 2021 and 2022, Robinson received about $76,000 through the bogus billing scheme, according to prosecutors.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • But Scott has the power of love on his side (though the power of self-respect would serve him better) and, like many an underdog, relies more on clever trickery than physical prowess to win most of the battles.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The ability to render the real world using charcoal is utter trickery.
    Emily Wilson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wile. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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