WILE Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

wile 1 of 2

noun

ˈwī(-ə)l

Definition of wile next

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

Relevance

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?

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

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 Maye was 15-for-25 for 184 yards with a touchdown and an interception wile rushing four times for 24 yards. —

Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 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

Noun

As part of the ruse to extract her from Venezuela, Machado wore a disguise to leave the country, violating Venezuela’s then-travel ban, according to the Associated Press.

— Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Director Ben Affleck also stars in the historical thriller (and a sort of salute to the movies) about the CIA using a fake sci-fi movie as a ruse to rescue diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026

Definition of ruse

Browse Nearby Words

wildwoods

wile

wiled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wile. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 18 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of wile

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

‘While Away’: When the Hours Just...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on wile

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jejune

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

'Virus' vs. 'Bacteria'

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

The Longest Long Words List

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of wile

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to wile

‘While Away’: When the Hours Just...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on wile

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jejune

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

'Virus' vs. 'Bacteria'

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

The Longest Long Words List

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes