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subterfuge

subterfuge

19 9.5
A trick or excuse to hide the real reason
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌbtərˌfjuːdʒ/
translation icon : subterfugio
  • The detective uncovered a subterfuge that hid the suspect's true intentions.
  • use subterfuge

And it it happens by subterfuge, the debasement of money.

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Examples

  • There was no subterfuge or deception in the stance they took.

    Academic text (2016)
  • The man stared at me directly and without subterfuge in the same way I was regarding him.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • I came over here with no subterfuge and presented my best offer.

  • Only for that, it would be worth some subterfuge to find Brand and leave.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • I seek no subterfuge here in Manchester.

  • Bit by bit, they put together their subterfuge, inventing a way they might have met and become friends.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • You get older, you start to feel your mortality, and you say, "There's no more time for dishonesty, "for subterfuge."

  • In theory, taxpayers who engaged in such subterfuge risked detection and punishment, including criminal prosecution.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Until the 1970s, few expected rising oil prices; most warnings were subterfuges to justify protectionism.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Parker asserts that empowerment through participation is a subterfuge for managers who want information without relinquishing control.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

lie
vssubterfuge
2.7

A false statement told to trick someone

is a broader dishonest plan to hide purpose rather than a single false statement
game
vssubterfuge
  • Informal
678 8.2

A secret plan to trick or cheat people

is a planned deceit to hide purpose rather than focusing on underhandedness
mask
vssubterfuge
129 5.9

A way of acting that hides how a person really feels

is a secret plan to achieve aims by deception rather than only hiding appearance
pretense
vssubterfuge
  • US
65 6.1

A false claim or action to hide the truth

is a planned dishonest action to achieve aims rather than just a false appearance
ruse
vssubterfuge
53 7.7

A clever trick to deceive someone

is a broader dishonest plan that hides true purpose rather than only a clever trick
pretext
vssubterfuge
42 6.7

A false reason people give to hide what they really want

is a broader deceptive plan hiding true purpose rather than a simple reason
trickery
vssubterfuge
27 4.9

To use dishonest ways to cheat people

is a planned act to hide motives and reach aims rather than only trick use
secret plan
vssubterfuge
13 4.3

A plan people keep secret to do something wrong

is a dishonest method using tricks or excuses to hide real purpose
artifice
vssubterfuge
  • Formal
11 8.1

A clever trick that deceives people or hides the truth

is a general deceptive plan focused on hiding purposes rather than clever technique
smokescreen
vssubterfuge
9 7.1

An action or statement that hides the real reason behind something

is a plan meant to achieve aims by deception rather than just distract
masquerade
vssubterfuge
8 6.8

A false appearance that hides someone's true feelings or plans

is a secret scheme intended to gain by deception rather than only a false display
chicanery
vssubterfuge
  • Formal
8 9.3

Tricks people use to deceive others to get money or advantage

is a broad deceptive plan to hide purpose rather than schemes for specific gains
stratagem
vssubterfuge
7 8.5

A clever plan to trick someone and gain an advantage

is a secret deceptive plan used to hide motive rather than only outwitting opponents
fakery
vssubterfuge
6 6.8

A thing or action made to trick people into thinking it is real

is a secret scheme to hide motives and gain advantage rather than mere fakes
concoction
vssubterfuge
4 6.3

An invented story or plan made to trick people

is a broader deceptive plan to reach goals rather than only a made-up story
prevarication
vssubterfuge
  • Formal
3 9.9

To avoid telling the truth by being vague or misleading

is a planned deceptive action to hide purpose rather than merely avoiding direct answers
blind
vssubterfuge
3 7.9

Something used to hide the true reason for an action

is a deceptive plan aimed at achieving goals, not only serving as a cover
dissembling
vssubterfuge
3 9.9

Hiding your true feelings or intentions by pretending

is a deliberate plan to hide purpose and gain advantage rather than only personal disguise
put-up job
vssubterfuge
  • Informal
1 8.5

A secret plan to trick people by making something seem accidental

is a general deceptive plan used to hide motives, not only staged events
cunning plan
vssubterfuge
1 5.0

A clever way to trick someone to get what you want

is a general deceptive scheme focused on hiding purpose rather than cleverness alone
stalking-horse
vssubterfuge
  • Literature
1 9.9

A person or thing used to hide someone's real plan

is a secret plan made to hide true purpose and gain advantage
underhandedness
vssubterfuge
1 7.1

Dishonest or sneaky behaviour to get what you want

is a specific secret plan to hide intent rather than a general dishonest trait
double-dealing
vssubterfuge
1 7.1

Dishonest behavior of pretending one thing but doing another

is a plan to hide purpose aimed at achieving goals rather than ongoing personal duplicity
jiggery-pokery
vssubterfuge
  • Archaic
9.9

Dishonest actions that try to trick people

is a planned, often formal scheme to hide motives rather than casual cheating
schemey tactic
vssubterfuge
  • Informal
8.4

A plan that uses dishonest tricks to get an unfair advantage

is a broader secret plan aimed at hiding motive rather than one manipulative tactic

Antonyms

365 1.0

Being truthful and fair in what you say and do

146 3.7

Being clear so people can see or understand how something works

How Deceptive

fraud
577 4.0
deception
163 3.9
subterfuge
19 9.5
to trick
326 3.5
ruse
53 7.7

Surface Forms

subterfuge singular
subterfuges plural

Etymology

Subterfuge comes from Latin parts subter 'under' and fugere 'to flee'. So a subterfuge is a trick that lets someone escape notice and hide the real purpose.