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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
And if veteran wiles is not enough, Golden State (48-34) is not above a little rough play too. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025 Finn Bjork totaled 16 points and 12 rebounds wile Dom Taylor poured in 18 points as No. 6 Somerset Berkley advanced to the Division 2 State title game with a 66-58 win over No. 7 Masconomet on Monday night at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium on the campus of UMass Boston. Matt Feld, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 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
  • Police said McGriff employed the ruse to access the couple's Queens residence and then set it ablaze.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
  • McGriff allegedly tried the ruse at a nearby house first but was turned away, Tisch said.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But there’s some deception at play.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Stories of similar scenes are sweeping Puerto Rico—raids without court orders, marked by deception and racial profiling, often regardless of legal status.
    Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Molina, who is fascinated by silver screen legend Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez), distracts himself and Valentín with a recounting of his favorite film of hers — The Kiss of the Spider Woman.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
  • That kind of content always fascinated me, both sides of it, actually, the victimology and the perpetrator’s perspective.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • So the real trick was creating a hue with blendability that people were willing to reapply.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The Luray Caverns feel almost magical—complete with musical instruments built into the walls, mirror-like lakes that play tricks on your eyes, and even a wishing well tucked into the underground pathways.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When does compromise become treachery or defeat?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Could Juno be behind this treachery, as payback for David destroying her spy corporation and for changing his oldest daughter into a killer?
    Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Robert Redford, who charmed people on the big screen and eventually used his star power to advocate for independent filmmaking, environmentalism and LGBTQ rights, has died at age 89.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Lennon's sister, Maisy, charmed audiences as Daphne Conrad, the younger daughter of Rayna Jaymes.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Roberts and Robinson, who federal prosecutors say conducted the scheme over the course of five years, between 2018 and 2023, allegedly stole $900,000 from the court system.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Just look at the offense — more weapons, better scheme, more support.
    Dianna Russini, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Corona del Mar used some trickery to take the lead on the ensuing possession.
    Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Or, some serious internal trickery.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wile. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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