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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
Elizabeth, as if sensing her impending new position in the family, is taking on more and more adult wiles. . . John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025 The character Satine in the musical is less of a victim of the manager’s demands and chooses to use her feminine wiles to make money for the club, which is her artistic home. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
Verb
The result is more kids wiling away hours indoors scrolling through addictive apps, leaving much less time for free-play and socializing out of the house, says Zach Rausch, lead researcher to Haidt and an associate research scientist at NYU-Stern School of Business. Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for wile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wile
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
  • As various ancient sources recount, after Achilles is killed by Paris, the Greeks resort to deception.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Real war introduces deception, saturation attacks and human failures.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout that time, Frédéric Boucheron was fascinated by the natural world — a passion Poulit‑Duquesne and Choisne continue today, visible in collections featuring feather motifs, fluid forms and other designs.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • It’s set in the early 80s, which is a period that fascinates me.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the weeks leading up to Halloween, Newman continues to share wig tips ahead of partying and trick-or-treating.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Advertisement Apple and caramel dips Apples are a top-tier fall fruit and a healthy, on-theme choice for trick-or-treaters.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And when the surviving crew interrogates the android Ash about his treachery, the book has him pretty much spill the space beans.
    Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
  • When does compromise become treachery or defeat?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But despite his entreaties, including meeting with Putin in Alaska, floating sanctions relief, and threatening to cut off aid to Kyiv, the Russian president has refused to be charmed into giving up on his invasion.
    Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Viewers were instantly charmed.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 27 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
Noun
  • The fun bit of trickery worked as Hunt gained 3 yards and got the first down.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
  • And yet Broncos' run game and offensive trickery isn't working.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wile. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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