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
When the magazine writer Dylan (Daryl Wein) and his girlfriend and photographer, Lucy (Abigail Cowen), descend upon the rocker Milo (Jack Farthing), there’s subterfuge afoot.
—
Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 1 May 2025
The only safe refuge, 20 miles away, is the federal garrison at Harpers Ferry, but reaching it will require much subterfuge and even more luck.
—Alida Becker, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Remember when Russia was that pesky geopolitical force who’s own constant secrecy and subterfuge brought about the downfall of its imperial ambitions?
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025
But this subterfuge is perhaps the very substance of the paintings.
—Zoë Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterfuge
Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 1 May 2025
The only safe refuge, 20 miles away, is the federal garrison at Harpers Ferry, but reaching it will require much subterfuge and even more luck.
—Alida Becker, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Remember when Russia was that pesky geopolitical force who’s own constant secrecy and subterfuge brought about the downfall of its imperial ambitions?
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025
But this subterfuge is perhaps the very substance of the paintings.
—Zoë Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterfuge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subterfuge
Noun
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And how could Faas have knowingly perpetrated such deception?—
Gary Knight,
Rolling Stone,
1 Aug. 2025
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This campaign of deception from Big Oil and the plastics industry underscores why California’s lawsuit against Exxon is so vital.—
Chelsea Linsley,
Mercury News,
29 July 2025
Noun
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The six-parter, to debut July 14, follows six groups of friends, and six historical cases of murder and treachery among them.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2025
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But amid the bloodbaths and treacheries, Westeros still penciled in time for a little romance — some more compelling than others (Jon and Ygritte > Jon and Daenerys).—
Tyler Aquilina,
EW.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the span of a few quarters, impersonation has graduated from trickery to full-spectrum mimicry.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Because the women can’t vote or hold public office, their improvements get implemented through a mixture of trickery and indirection.—
Deborah Williams
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Noun
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One is inclined to ask how much chicanery, deceit, deception and outright lying one must absorb before ending one’s allegiance to that party.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 June 2025
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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
Noun
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With bathroom breaks, the most infamous incident of a player being accused of gamesmanship was Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece clashing at the 2021 U.S. Open.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
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Until then, both sides have injected a degree of gamesmanship into the final round of talks, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) pledging to hold a vote this week in spite of the Democratic opposition.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
6 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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This style fosters defensiveness, secrecy, and a culture of fear.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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The secrecy surrounding the Maxwell interview has only contributed to the lack of trust—for many—in the administration line.—
Ryan Lucas,
NPR,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Despite being outnumbered fifty-to-one by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
30 July 2025
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Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subterfuge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subterfuge. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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