trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.
the tricks of the trade
ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.
the ruses of smugglers
stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.
the stratagem-filled game
maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.
last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy
artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.
the clever artifices of the stage
wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.
used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself
feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.
a feint toward the enemy's left flank
Examples of ruse in a Sentence
His act was just a clever ruse to get me to go out with him.
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Shane Millan admitted to forcing several women to expose their chest with the ruse of checking for tattoos
A U.S. Border Patrol agent has admitted to forcing several migrant women to expose their breasts while processing their paperwork during their entry into the country in 2023.—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025 The idea of doctors posing as podcasters to make men more suggestible is already a winner, but the language the doctors employ to complete the ruse ratchets up the comedy.—Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025 Is this to maintain the ruse of amateurism to go along with the players’ professed allegiance to and love of this particular university, however temporary?—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025 Through a clever ruse, the trio manages to escape, but Léo is shot and starts going into labor.—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruse
Word History
Etymology
French, from Old French, roundabout path taken by fleeing game, trickery, from reuser
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