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

This is a shameful ruse by Christian nationalists in Texas who see the schools as a mission field. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2024

One common ruse: Posing as a recruiter online, the scammer dupes their victim into sending money or sharing personal info. —Nick Rockel, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024

The reveal that the Road was a ruse all along also paints the many deaths that occurred during the adventure in a more horrific light—all of them were meaningless, essentially chalked down to more of Agatha’s murders. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Scammers continue to move the goalposts with different ruses and techniques, and AI is figuring more prominently. —Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024

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