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

Not least because the ruse allows for a Putin or two to die while another survives without toppling the edifice built by the original one. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

The defendants never believed the ruse and within hours were sending threatening messages to Rendon, according to prosecutors. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

Lily Gladstone, Bowen Yang, Kelly Marie Tran, and Han Gi-Chan play besties who orchestrate the ultimate marital ruse in the first trailer for The Wedding Banquet, director Andrew Ahn's remake of Ang Lee's 1993 classic of the same name. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2025

Their ruse is not foolproof, but this series, executive-produced by the legendary Ridley Scott, is gripping from the first episode. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 14 Mar. 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

Rhymes for ruse

• blues
• boos
• booze
• brews
• bruise
• chews
• choose
• chuse
• clews
• clues
• coups
• crews

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