wile 1 of 2

noun

ˈwī(-ə)l How to pronounce wile (audio)
Definition of wilenext
1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end had to use all of her wiles to convince her guests to stay for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in deception
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end it took both wile and cajolery to talk him into it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wile

2 of 2

verb

as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic her stories of the Old South could wile anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of wile are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and trick. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

When can artifice be used instead of wile?

The synonyms artifice and wile are sometimes interchangeable, but artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for wile?

The words feint and wile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

When is maneuver a more appropriate choice than wile?

The words maneuver and wile can be used in similar contexts, but maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When could ruse be used to replace wile?

Although the words ruse and wile have much in common, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

Where would stratagem be a reasonable alternative to wile?

In some situations, the words stratagem and wile 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 it sensible to use trick instead of wile?

While in some cases nearly identical to wile, trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

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

Some common synonyms of wile are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and trick. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

When can artifice be used instead of wile?

The synonyms artifice and wile are sometimes interchangeable, but artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for wile?

The words feint and wile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

When is maneuver a more appropriate choice than wile?

The words maneuver and wile can be used in similar contexts, but maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When could ruse be used to replace wile?

Although the words ruse and wile have much in common, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

Where would stratagem be a reasonable alternative to wile?

In some situations, the words stratagem and wile 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 it sensible to use trick instead of wile?

While in some cases nearly identical to wile, trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

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 wile
Noun
That Hedda has forged such a life for herself is a testament to her wiles — no one is more adept at delivering acidic barbs cloaked by a friendly hand on the shoulder. —Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025 Seeing Laura’s discomfort with her, Cherry employs her feminine wiles to cause a fracture in Laura and Daniel’s connection. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Europe generally speaking is on Ukraine’s side, wants a settlement to the war to be as close to Kyiv’s preferences as possible and isn’t wiling to explore a detente with Moscow until the war is over. —Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2025 Tuck into a plate of catfish at nearby Taylor Grocery, catch a show at The Lyric, and wile away the next morning in Square Books. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wile
  1. ruse
  2. deception
  3. fascinate
  4. trick
  5. treachery
  6. charm
  7. scheme
  8. trickery
Noun
  • While sustaining the ruse for months, Ale arranged with an expectant young mother who didn’t want her child to take that woman’s newborn as her own.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Seasoned observers of Russia’s space program might question if the drone attacks are a ruse to add another layer of secrecy over Russia’s launch activity at Plesetsk.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Fascist propaganda works by distraction and deception.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Flores must continue to utilize deception to apply pressure on the opposing quarterback.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of deception
Verb
  • Precious artifacts have been recently unearthed from the site that fascinates scholars worldwide.
    — Sharon Chin, CBS News, 1 May 2026
  • We were fascinated by a broader trend — covered locally by the Chicago Sun-Times and nationally by outlets including CNBC and The New York Times — of people turning the humble 1040 into a form of civil disobedience.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of fascinate
Noun
  • This and other videos like it have been making the rounds lately, using tricks for clicks.
    — Lisa de los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
  • But Ohm has picked up some tricks from his time in the room.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Inflamed by Ratansen’s adviser’s account of Padmavati’s beauty, Alauddin Khalji storms the fortress by treachery rather than valor.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
  • But Bateman's treachery also had a distinctly silly side.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of treachery
Verb
  • Geese’s charmed run as one of the buzziest indie rock bands of recent memory will extend at least through early November, as the New York quartet has announced some of its biggest live shows to date in support of its 2025 Partisan album Getting Killed.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The series first debuted on Prime Video in 2021 and quickly gained a huge following, with viewers charmed by the beautiful scenery and the drama that country living can bring, helped along by Clarkson’s total lack of farming experience.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of charm
Noun
  • There’s a symbiosis in play here, and the NFL is fully aware that its unmatched popularity is still almost entirely a function of its TV-first delivery scheme.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
  • Following that incident, Weber allegedly tried to launch another scheme involving him offering basketball players overseas trips.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • Obviously, the city knew that people would see through its trickery.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Now, there is a little bit of trickery being employed here.
    — Alan Bradley, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of trickery

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Cite this Entry

“Wile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wile. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of wile for Spanish Speakers

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