trick 1 of 3

noun

ˈtrik How to pronounce trick (audio)
Definition of tricknext
1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end her husband used every trick in the book to get out of appearing in his parish's fashion show

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2
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke thought that gluing the silver dollar to the floor and watching him struggle to pick it up would be a good trick

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3
as in ritual
a usual manner of behaving or doing that deadbeat is up to his usual tricks: once again he's claiming the check is in the mail

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4
as in feat
an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness it'd be quite a trick to hit that target from here

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5
as in trait
an odd or peculiar habit a dog with the trick of eating cabbage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trick

2 of 3

verb

as in to deceive
to cause to believe what is untrue you tricked me into thinking my ex wasn't coming to the party tonight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trick

3 of 3

adjective

as in tricky

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word trick different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of trick are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

When could artifice be used to replace trick?

Although the words artifice and trick have much in common, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for trick?

The words feint and trick can be used in similar contexts, but feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can maneuver take the place of trick?

While in some cases nearly identical to trick, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When can ruse be used instead of trick?

While the synonyms ruse and trick are close in meaning, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of trick?

In some situations, the words stratagem and trick are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When is wile a more appropriate choice than trick?

The meanings of wile and trick largely overlap; however, 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 trick
Noun
As Halloween approaches, investors seem fearful that good credit performance may be more trick than treat. —Telis Demos, WSJ, 21 Oct. 2022 If the high cost of it all is more trick than treat for you, here are several ways to turn your already smart home into a spook-tacularly genius haunted house. —Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2021
Verb
And no, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you — that is Ethan Slater of SpongeBob SquarePants and Wicked fame in the recurring role of Thomas Godolkin. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 25 July 2025 The universe is playing tricks on you this week, Scorpio, especially in relation to career matters, your public persona or situations involving authority. —Kyle Thomas, People.com, 13 July 2025
Adjective
The researchers found a way to induce PD-L1 expression inside tumors using a generalized mRNA vaccine, essentially tricking the cancer cell into exposing itself, so immunotherapy can be more effective. —New Atlas, 18 July 2025 The plot to trick Zepeda-Martinez was hatched in prison, by 45-year-old Anthony Rodriguez, who is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, prosecutors said. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for trick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trick
  1. ruse
  2. prank
  3. ritual
  4. feat
  5. trait
  6. deceive
  7. tricky
  8. scheme
Noun
  • No, because the medic — work requirements are a ruse.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 13 July 2025
  • Ben Affleck's Argo is a real film about the ruse of making a fake film to help rescue real-life hostages in Iran.
    — EW Staff Published, EW.com, 4 July 2025
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • The marijuana photos that appeared this weekend when people googled Taylor Police Department were likely a prank that, for a moment, had some in the community snickering, including the deputy chief.
    — Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • What starts as a simple favor to keep her great-niece turns into a wild Halloween night filled with jump scares and pranks — but as usual, nothing frightens her more than bad manners and disrespect. Boo 2!
    — Jane LaCroix, People.com, 13 July 2025
Definition of prank
Noun
  • By making this a daily ritual for babies, parents can reap the benefits as well.
    — Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Wilson reportedly collapsed after being punched in the chest during a fraternity ritual.
    — DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • Miguel Vargas and Mike Tauchman helped the 2025 Sox accomplish that feat yesterday.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
  • The party managed this feat by linking economic and moral arguments, establishing a broad coalition against slavery.
    — Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of feat
Noun
  • Best traits: Freaky physical traits Styles is built differently.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 29 July 2025
  • Her signature ultra-thin, arched eyebrows, a style trait belonging to her renowned ’90s aesthetic, were kept intact, while her lips glowed as if they’d been coated in a thin layer of chapstick.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 July 2025
Definition of trait
Verb
  • More than 20 children are in the custody of a Southern California child-welfare agency as authorities investigate allegations of child abuse and whether surrogate mothers were deceived by a Los Angeles-area couple.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 17 July 2025
  • And then he was wishy-washy, went back and forth, and she was deceived and disappointed by him.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 15 July 2025
Definition of deceive
Adjective
  • What Experts Say About Moving Abroad Hannah Samaha, PhD, a child psychologist in Jacksonville, Florida, agrees that moving with kids to another country can be tricky.
    — Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 30 July 2025
  • The first part is extra tricky because this is a year with two off weeks per team, so not many will be playing straight through for the first six weeks.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Definition of tricky
Noun
  • Singer took in more than $25 million from his clients as part of the scheme, paid bribes totaling more than $7 million and used more than $15 million for his own benefit, according to prosecutors.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
  • The scheme requires drivers to pay a fee—based on the time and duration of their visit and their vehicle type—to enter the lower part of Manhattan, from the southern end of Central Park to the city’s financial district.
    — Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of scheme

Phrases Containing trick

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trichromatic
trick
tricked
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Cite this Entry

“Trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trick. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on trick

Nglish: Translation of trick for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trick

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