1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
used the artifice of saying his grandmother had died so that he could get the last seat on the plane
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2
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
using their artifice, the Greeks crafted a hollow wooden horse to hide inside and thereby gained entry into the city of Troy
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3
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
a painting that could only have been created with the artifice of a master
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4
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
a crook who is a master of artifice and manipulation
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5
as in treachery
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end
he's willing to resort to artifice to get himself out of this jam
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of artifice
The film calls attention to the artifice of—and the punishing effort behind—Romy’s attempts to self-optimize, which range from Botox injections to E.M.D.R. therapy.
—
Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Of course, there are occasionally more glaring clues to the artifice, as when the AI model fails to replicate the Oreo logo.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
The film stars Naomi Watts as an aspiring actress and Laura Harring as an amnesiac who are both swept into a labyrinth of artifice, violence, mystery, and betrayal.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
There was a great sense of artifice because of the sense of magic that her character adopts.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artifice
Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Of course, there are occasionally more glaring clues to the artifice, as when the AI model fails to replicate the Oreo logo.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
The film stars Naomi Watts as an aspiring actress and Laura Harring as an amnesiac who are both swept into a labyrinth of artifice, violence, mystery, and betrayal.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
There was a great sense of artifice because of the sense of magic that her character adopts.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artifice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artifice
Noun
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Is this to maintain the ruse of amateurism to go along with the players’ professed allegiance to and love of this particular university, however temporary?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Through a clever ruse, the trio manages to escape, but Léo is shot and starts going into labor.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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For Mirren, the cunning and cruelty of Whitfield is a timely example of power corrupting absolutely.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Gilded by privilege and cunning, Glinda is a popular young woman who desires to wield magic.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This work ripples far beyond the therapy room, equipping clients with the skills to handle the messiness of real relationships in their day-to-day lives.—
Maytal Eyal,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
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Assigning meaningful responsibilities fosters skill development and builds trust.—
Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Tacopina recently appeared on The Breakfast Club to break down key elements of the defense’s strategy in proving Rocky’s innocence, and the plaintiff’s, A$AP Relli, lies and deception.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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Today the art world is reeling over not just her deception, but also the stain Ms. Schiff has left on the largely unregulated business of art advising.—
Sarah Maslin Nir,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The songs typically crop up in the final act of an episode as the tensions (and treacheries) mount.—
Mark Peikert,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2025
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After a season of treachery and deception, the winner or winners of The Traitors UK Season 3 have been revealed.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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What’s needed now are more flexible funding schemes and opportunities that will allow Latvian productions to be competitive on the global market.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
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When Tony White left after the regular season for Florida State, Nebraska lost a defensive tactician and a coordinator who brought an effective scheme to the Blackshirts.—
Mitch Sherman,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The exposé marked the beginning of the end for Theranos, as multiple whistleblowers came forward with claims of secrets and deceit.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2025
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Determined to uncover the truth, Min-tae embarks on a relentless pursuit, navigating a web of deceit involving his former crime syndicate and the police.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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With a bit of guidance, navigating between the classic go-to’s and the newer dining options are scattered throughout the properties can lead to incredible culinary discoveries, plenty of popping champagne bottles and even a dash of historical subterfuge.—
Alissa Fitzgerald,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
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This sequence introduces The Agency as a maze of contradictory nationalist motivations, paranoia-inducing surveillance, and prevalent subterfuge — and, in its hidden center, a love story.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Artifice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artifice. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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