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Subterfuge synonyms
sŭb'tər-fyo͝oj'
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deception
A ruse; a trick.
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  1. A ruse; a trick.
  2. The fact or condition of being deceived
  3. The use of deceit.
device
A contrivance or invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks.
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  1. A contrivance or invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks.
  2. A design, often with a motto, on a coat of arms; heraldic emblem
  3. An invention, typically a mechanical object; a tactic or contrivance for the purpose of committing a deception or fraud. An invention, typically a mechanical object; a tactic or contrivance for the purpose of committing a deception or fraud.
artifice
A sly or artful trick
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  1. A sly or artful trick
  2. Cleverness or ingenuity in making or doing something; art or skill:
  3. Something contrived or made up to achieve an end, especially by deceiving; a stratagem or ruse:
ploy
An action calculated to frustrate an opponent or gain an advantage indirectly or deviously; a maneuver:
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  1. An action calculated to frustrate an opponent or gain an advantage indirectly or deviously; a maneuver:
  2. An action or maneuver intended to outwit or disconcert another person
artifice
Cleverness or ingenuity in making or doing something; art or skill:
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  1. Cleverness or ingenuity in making or doing something; art or skill:
  2. Something contrived or made up to achieve an end, especially by deceiving; a stratagem or ruse:
  3. A sly or artful trick
deception
The fact or condition of being deceived
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  1. The fact or condition of being deceived
  2. The use of deceit.
  3. A ruse; a trick.
device
An invention, typically a mechanical object; a tactic or contrivance for the purpose of committing a deception or fraud. An invention, typically a mechanical object; a tactic or contrivance for the purpose of committing a deception or fraud.
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  1. An invention, typically a mechanical object; a tactic or contrivance for the purpose of committing a deception or fraud. An invention, typically a mechanical object; a tactic or contrivance for the purpose of committing a deception or fraud.
  2. A design, often with a motto, on a coat of arms; heraldic emblem
  3. A contrivance or invention serving a particular purpose, especially a machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks.
dodge
The act of dodging:
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  1. The act of dodging:
  2. A cunning or deceitful act intended to evade something or trick someone:
  3. A clever or resourceful device, plan, etc.
feint
A deceptive action calculated to divert attention from one's real purpose.
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  1. A deceptive action calculated to divert attention from one's real purpose.
  2. A military attack or maneuver that is meant to divert attention away from a planned point of attack.
  3. A body movement that is intended to divert another's attention, often by being deliberately left uncompleted:
gimmick
A device employed to cheat, deceive, or trick, especially a mechanism for the secret and dishonest control of gambling apparatus.
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  1. A device employed to cheat, deceive, or trick, especially a mechanism for the secret and dishonest control of gambling apparatus.
  2. A secret means of controlling a gambling device
  3. An attention-getting device or feature, typically superficial, designed to promote the success of a product, campaign, etc.
imposture
The act or instance of engaging in deception under an assumed name or identity.
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  1. The act or instance of engaging in deception under an assumed name or identity.
  2. The act or practice of an impostor; fraud; deception
jig
A device for guiding a tool or for holding machine work in place.
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  1. A device for guiding a tool or for holding machine work in place.
  2. A typically metal fishing lure with one or more hooks, usually deployed with a jiggling motion on or near the bottom.
  3. A device, often with metal surfaces, used as a guide for a tool or as a template
maneuver
A series of aircraft movements executed by the pilot according to a specific pattern, as a roll, a loop, etc.
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  1. A series of aircraft movements executed by the pilot according to a specific pattern, as a roll, a loop, etc.
  2. A movement or combination of movements involving skill and dexterity:
  3. Any skillful change of movement or direction in driving or controlling a vehicle or craft
ploy
An action calculated to frustrate an opponent or gain an advantage indirectly or deviously; a maneuver:
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  1. An action calculated to frustrate an opponent or gain an advantage indirectly or deviously; a maneuver:
  2. An action or maneuver intended to outwit or disconcert another person
ruse
A city of northeast Bulgaria on the Danube River south of Bucharest, Romania. Founded as a Roman fortress, it is today a major port and industrial center.
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  1. A city of northeast Bulgaria on the Danube River south of Bucharest, Romania. Founded as a Roman fortress, it is today a major port and industrial center.
  2. A crafty stratagem; a subterfuge.
  3. A stratagem, trick, or artifice
sleight
Cunning or craft used in deceiving
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  1. Cunning or craft used in deceiving
  2. An artful trick; sly artifice; a feat so dexterous that the manner of performance escapes observation.
  3. A clever or skillful trick or deception; an artifice or stratagem.
stratagem
The devising or execution of such schemes or maneuvers:
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  1. The devising or execution of such schemes or maneuvers:
  2. A scheme or maneuver designed to achieve an objective, as in surprising an enemy or deceiving someone.
  3. Any trick or scheme for achieving some purpose
trick
A special skill; a knack:
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  1. A special skill; a knack:
  2. A peculiar event with unexpected, often deceptive results:
  3. An act of jugglery or sleight of hand; also, an illusion of the kind created by legerdemain
wile
A stratagem or trick intended to deceive or ensnare.
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  1. A stratagem or trick intended to deceive or ensnare.
  2. A disarming or seductive manner, device, or procedure:
  3. A sly trick; deceitful artifice; stratagem
shenanigan
An underhanded act or deceitful remark:
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  1. An underhanded act or deceitful remark:
  2. A playful or mischievous act; a prank:
take-in
The act or an instance of swindling or cheating; a deception.
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  1. The act or an instance of swindling or cheating; a deception.
  2. (Informal) A taking in; specif., cheating, trickery, etc. or a deception, trick, etc.
Find another word for subterfuge. In this page you can discover 25 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for subterfuge, like: deception, device, artifice, ploy, deception, trick, artifice, deception, device, dodge and feint.

Sentence Examples

  • The lack of labeling may give an impression of subterfuge.

  • The discovery of the so-called evolution of morality out of non-moral conditions is very frequently an unconscious subterfuge by which the evolutionist hides the fact that he is making a priori judgments upon the value of the moral concepts held to be evolved.

  • The other Gods, seeking a man to bring down the insane Ares, set Kratos upon tasks with subterfuge in their hearts.

  • This was not a plan of subterfuge but the result of clothing and equipment being supplied by home states and communities.

  • The first novel deals with the machinations and subterfuge with which the First Foundation is formed, and its early history, through its discovery that the Encyclopedia is not its raison d'etre and the dwindling power of the Empire.

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Words that mention subterfuge in the Dictionary

Words near subterfuge in the Thesaurus