ruse

noun

Definition of rusenext
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.

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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

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 Kurt's key takeaway Phishing scams are constantly evolving, and the DocuSign Apple Pay ruse is just one of many. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Or is this all one very expensive and beautifully shot Suzy Homemaker-esque ruse? —Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025 If all goes well, the grass will sprout before the birds figure out your ruse. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025 After realizing the ruse, Walton embarked on a crusade to ensure Smyth faced legal consequences for her actions. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruse
  1. prank
  2. deception
  3. trick
  4. subterfuge
  5. stratagem
Noun
  • The team performed several stunts and pranks on air, with one resulting in an $8,000 loss in advertising.
    — Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The family regularly vlogs, sharing daily life and pranks on Instagram.
    — Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of prank
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
Definition of deception
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
Definition of trick
Noun
  • The trial was a kangaroo circus packed with sophism, subterfuge, and courtroom chicanery.
    — Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Maybe Payton’s running the best preseason subterfuge campaign ever to make Estime look bad on film.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
Definition of subterfuge
Noun
  • Night after night the stratagem was repeated successfully.
    — Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025
  • For people like Soriano, however, the elections are about more than political stratagem and determining which family holds the most nominal power.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 13 May 2025
Definition of stratagem

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Ruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruse. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ruse

Nglish: Translation of ruse for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ruse

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