trick 1 of 3

Definition of tricknext
1
2
3
4
as in feat
an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness it'd be quite a trick to hit that target from here

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

trick

2 of 3

verb

trick

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trick different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of trick are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and wile. While all these words 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

When could artifice be used to replace trick?

Although the words artifice and trick have much in common, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for trick?

The words feint and trick can be used in similar contexts, but feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

In what contexts can maneuver take the place of trick?

While in some cases nearly identical to trick, maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When can ruse be used instead of trick?

While the synonyms ruse and trick are close in meaning, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

When is it sensible to use stratagem instead of trick?

In some situations, the words stratagem and trick are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When is wile a more appropriate choice than trick?

The meanings of wile and trick largely overlap; however, wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trick
Noun
And while carrying grocery bags or water jugs can do the trick, the surest way to get stronger is gradually using heavier dumbbells to preserve the practical power needed for everyday life. David Hochman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Perpetrators often utilize confidence-style tricks to gain the trust of their victims. Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026
Verb
These websites closely resemble legitimate ticketing and checkout platforms and can allow scammers to steal log-in credentials, personal information and credit card numbers and trick you into sending in payments. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 This includes deliberately wasting time, persistently breaking rules, trying to trick the referees or unsportsmanlike behavior. Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Adjective
If the high cost of it all is more trick than treat for you, here are several ways to turn your already smart home into a spook-tacularly genius haunted house. Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2021 And arguably, given the variety of cask types used by the distillery, Angel’s Envy is actually a multi-trick pony. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 June 2021 See All Example Sentences for trick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trick
Noun
  • The ruse was surprisingly straightforward.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 17 June 2026
  • Tsietsi was delighted by the ruse.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • His daughter just reminded him in a TikTok prank that went viral.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
  • Or pulling pranks on their teammates.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • After a few minutes of ritual, a group of three men shed their long black robes to reveal flowing gowns and began their sema, or ceremony, a ritual that has been recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
  • That might include customer commitments the team can protect, decisions managers can make without escalation, experiments the team can run over the next 30 days, learning priorities for an AI transition, escalation rules for customer or employee risk, and team rituals that keep work coherent.
    Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The flyover, the atmosphere, the crowd and the impressive feat of constructing the platform, stage and stands on the White House lawn.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
  • His feat was kept secret for about a year when the world thought the British had broken the sound barrier first.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • By nature of Darwinism, insects resistant to certain controls often breed and multiply in a garden, passing on that resistance as a genetic trait.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026
  • Charles Darwin also proposed that intersexual selection involved females evaluating and choosing males with whom to mate based on specific traits, such as a colorful peacock plumage.
    Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • The thing is, a lot of people have a talent for deceiving the public.
    Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2026
  • Park and weather officials alike emphasize to Grand Canyon visitors that hiking conditions can be deceiving.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • That puts Ecuador in a tricky situation heading into its final game of group play.
    Kellis Robinett, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026
  • Sweaters are notoriously tricky to dry.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • The plea agreement reasserts that Lillig engaged in a years-long scheme, but only includes details of one instance of Lillig defrauding the church of $500.
    Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2026
  • Warren's letter cites Department of Justice cases alleging third-party schemes diverted hundreds of millions in Nvidia chips, including H100s and H200s, to China.
    Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trick. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on trick

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster