as in deception
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end
propagandists who use a kind of photographic subterfuge, superimposing one image on another to create a false "reality"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subterfuge
The line that the AI isn’t forming a personal opinion is a kind of sneaky subterfuge.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Even under sweeping Western sanctions, Russia was able to stay afloat through subterfuge and with support from allies like China and North Korea.
—Linggong Kong, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
To the relief of everybody, weeks of rumors/subterfuge/smokescreens/innuendo come to a merciful end.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Courts throughout the country have repeatedly seen through this subterfuge.
—Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterfuge
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Even under sweeping Western sanctions, Russia was able to stay afloat through subterfuge and with support from allies like China and North Korea.
—Linggong Kong, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
To the relief of everybody, weeks of rumors/subterfuge/smokescreens/innuendo come to a merciful end.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Courts throughout the country have repeatedly seen through this subterfuge.
—Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterfuge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subterfuge
Noun
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While this kind of deception is already possible manually, AI agents can scale it rapidly, increasing both the risk and potential volume of fraud.—
Aleksandra Bal,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Even commercial amusements that played with illusion, such as trompe l’oeil paintings and chess-playing automatons, helped train Americans of all classes to identify the signs of deception.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
Noun
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That’s the treachery of this world, that’s the trap.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
24 May 2025
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Press play below to learn more about Wells’ treachery, and to get a sneak peek at the fugitive interacting with her latest target.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In a nod to Chicago’s long history of bartender magicians, bars will be set up as much for trickery as for cocktails.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
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Medicaid fraud patterns continue to proliferate, escaping the notice of human workers doing their best to spot such trickery.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Despite the chicanery, this is a solid deal for a phone that isn’t wildly different from the Pixel 9.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Given the lawfare that tracks the uncertainty of our moral foundation, Henry Johnson is more pertinent than Oleanna, Mamet’s prophesy of the chicanery in the Me Too movement.—
Armond White,
National Review,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Surgery would certainly be a novel form of gamesmanship.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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The idea that a foundational piece of vulnerability tracking infrastructure could vanish overnight because of political gamesmanship?—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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From encounters with mermaids, the devil and even Robin Hood to themes of superstition and skulduggery, these short tales are perfect escapism to dip in and out of during your summer vacation.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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This year the skulduggery began early and has been raging for week.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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State media called the transfer part of a wider intelligence campaign, highlighting its secrecy and complexity.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 June 2025
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Like thousands of other teachers, from kindergarten to college, he was called in by investigators on the flimsiest of evidence, in a hidden proceeding whose records are still shrouded in secrecy.—
Jane S. Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
Noun
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On the other end of the spectrum was the more docile Kelly who often felt conflicted when her morals clashed with the cunning needed to succeed in the game.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
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But Waltz also advocated for further diplomatically isolating President Vladimir Putin — a position that was out of step with Trump, who has viewed the Russian leader, at moments, with admiration for his cunning in dealings with Trump’s predecessors.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subterfuge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subterfuge. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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