Thesaurus results for RUSE

Q: How is the word 'ruse' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of ruse are artifice , feint , maneuver , stratagem , trick , and wile . While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression. // the ruses of smugglers

Q: When would 'artifice' be a good substitute for 'ruse'?

The meanings of artifice and ruse largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention. // the clever artifices of the stage

Q: When is it sensible to use 'feint' instead of 'ruse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to ruse , feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent. // a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Q: When might 'maneuver' be a better fit than 'ruse'?

In some situations, the words maneuver and ruse are roughly equivalent. However, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty. // last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

Q: When can 'stratagem' be used instead of 'ruse'?

The synonyms stratagem and ruse are sometimes interchangeable, but stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy. // the stratagem -filled game

Q: When could 'trick' be used to replace 'ruse'?

The words trick and ruse can be used in similar contexts, but trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end. // the tricks of the trade

Q: When is 'wile' a more appropriate choice than 'ruse'?

Although the words wile and ruse have much in common, wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements. // used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

ruse

noun

Definition of ruse

as in prank

an act that is used to fool someone His act was just a clever ruse to get me to go out with him.

Related Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ruse are artifice, feint, maneuver, stratagem, trick, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When would artifice be a good substitute for ruse?

The meanings of artifice and ruse largely overlap; however, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When is it sensible to use feint instead of ruse?

While in some cases nearly identical to ruse, feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

When might maneuver be a better fit than ruse?

In some situations, the words maneuver and ruse are roughly equivalent. However, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When can stratagem be used instead of ruse?

The synonyms stratagem and ruse are sometimes interchangeable, but stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When could trick be used to replace ruse?

The words trick and ruse can be used in similar contexts, but trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

When is wile a more appropriate choice than ruse?

Although the words wile and ruse have much in common, wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

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 ruse Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, along with communications director Steven Cheung, were aware of the ruse but remained on Air Force One despite the threat. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 Once Wanda’s ruse is uncovered, the real Vision (now sporting a white costume) is reanimated and has his full memory restored. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026 Iranian state media and Iran’s embassy in South Africa mocked the ruse, posting memes of Trump pictured inside of catering carts full of food. — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 His misdirection was part of an elaborate ruse to mask his transfer from Air Force One to a military fighter jet following intel that Iran may be targeting the president’s plane. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ruse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruse

Noun

The prank came amid rumors about Stern’s impending retirement and the cancellation of his show.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
His entrance didn’t appear to register with Crowley or the interpreter, who may not have seen Gibson’s prank.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of prank

Noun

Years of deception, half-truths, and emotional compromises finally surface, forcing Rasheda, Geneva, Naomi, Tiffany, and Bridgette to confront not just the men in their lives, but one another.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Prevention of fraud, deception and public accountability are reasons given for this suggestion.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

Treister had a smart sense of humor, often performing magic tricks for anyone who would come over to his home, his family said.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Layered background sighs, a resonant lead vocal, autumnal acoustic guitar flickers, synths both eerie and trippy—James has all his tricks on tap.

— Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

There’s a delightful secret history of Hollywood directors whose ruses and stratagems bought them an unusual amount of leeway with their scripts.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
Through Elizabeth’s rise from servant to visionary who resisted Henry VIII’s break with the Roman Catholic Church to gain a divorce, Brown explores historical women’s stratagems for self-determination.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2026

Definition of stratagem

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruse. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ruse

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ruse

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes