Thesaurus results for RUSE

ruse

noun

Definition of ruse next

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Examples 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 When reeled back slowly across the bottom, the diamond jig creates puffs of sand that mimics a fleeing sand eel, and that wobbling rubber tail finishes the ruse. —

Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024 Agatha had put Ralph under a spell, forcing him to play Wanda’s brother Pietro in her ruse to steal Wanda’s dark magic. —

Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2024 Speaking of which, does anyone understand why some elaborate ruse had to be pulled to get Andy’s SOID cube back? —

Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024 The hackers used information found on the employee’s LinkedIn profile to pull off the ruse. —

Lisa Rabasca Roepe, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ruse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruse

Noun

After the clip went viral, many Instagram users lauded the creativity of the prank, leading to more than 100 comments so far.

Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
One of the rare sequels that does the original justice, Home Alone 2 raises the stakes with more pranks, more laughs, and a more classic Christmas setting.

Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024