ruse

noun

ˈrüs 

ˈrüz

: a wily subterfuge

Choose the Right Synonym for ruse

trick, ruse, stratagem, maneuver, artifice, wile, feint 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

ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Examples of ruse in a Sentence

His act was just a clever ruse to get me to go out with him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Just a few weeks ago former contestant Rhea Mathew returned to the stage under the ruse of helping celebrate the show's 50th anniversary, only to be surprised by her boyfriend with a proposal. —EW.com, 24 Jan. 2025

Litton, using the name Michael Sanders, had scheduled an appointment with Feather River Adventist School principal under the ruse of enrolling his nonexistent grandson. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025

That olive branch turned out to be a ruse, and the Mormon army shot and killed everyone over the age of 7. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025

Of course, there are many who believe the RTO mandates are actually a ruse for reducing headcount by encouraging employees to quit. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, roundabout path taken by fleeing game, trickery, from reuser

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ruse

noun

ˈrüs 

ˈrüz

: a clever way to fool someone : trick

Geographical Definition

Ruse

geographical name

Ru·​se ˈrü-(ˌ)sā 

variants or Turkish Ruschuk

ru̇s-ˈchük 

city in northeastern Bulgaria on the Danube River south of Bucharest population 148,500