Synonym Chooser

How does the noun trickery differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trickery are deception, double-dealing, fraud, and subterfuge. While all these words mean "the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives," trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.

resorted to trickery to gain their ends

Where would deception be a reasonable alternative to trickery?

The meanings of deception and trickery largely overlap; however, deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.

magicians are masters of deception

When is double-dealing a more appropriate choice than trickery?

The words double-dealing and trickery can be used in similar contexts, but double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.

a go-between suspected of double-dealing

In what contexts can fraud take the place of trickery?

Although the words fraud and trickery have much in common, fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.

indicted for fraud

When could subterfuge be used to replace trickery?

While in some cases nearly identical to trickery, subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.

obtained the papers by subterfuge

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 trickery Scientists expect that in an evolutionary arms race the female will evolve features to respond to the male's ability to see their trickery. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 That would have been a stupid question just about anywhere else, but the exhibition was by Laura Owens, a painter with a penchant for trickery, and the venue was Matthew Marks Gallery in New York, whose press release for Owens’s latest outing offered little in the way of explanation. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 24 Feb. 2025 Astounding transformations, in which one character takes on the appearance of another, will leave you wondering how the trickery was pulled off. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025 To a governor who takes delight in trickery and often regards the truth as a personal enemy, axing those critical services probably looked more like a […] Subscribe to continue reading this article. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trickery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trickery
Noun
  • Tyler Perry’s latest thriller, Duplicity, hits theaters today, March 20, delivering a suspenseful story of deception, justice, and betrayal.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Trickery, obfuscation, and deception are common in local politics.
    Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • His delivery of Mantel’s dialogue—modern, intelligent, bristling with implication and subterfuge—is mesmerizingly clear.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • After weeks of treachery and deception, the final roundtable has been viewed, and the winner or winners for The Traitors Season 3 have been revealed.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Clay’s Dad, Trevor Photo: Netflix It cannot be said enough that the root of so much of this season’s strife between AD and Clay can be traced back to one man’s flagrant disregard for his marital vows, and his inexplicable decision to involve his kids in the treachery.
    Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2024
Noun
  • Jane was a devout Protestant at a time of religious upheaval, the ultimate innocent victim of the chicanery of the Tudor court in the chaotic aftermath of Henry VIII’s reign.
    Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The big picture: Opponents argue that moves like these give a green light for corporations to engage in all kinds of chicanery.
    Emily Peck, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Joey Merlo’s cunning, captivating On Set With Theda Bara first lit its murky lights at the Brick a year ago — and now, in a heartening example of institutional collaboration, the Transport Group and the Lucille Lortel Theatre have pitched in as presenters to bring it back for an encore performance.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2024
  • For Mirren, the cunning and cruelty of Whitfield is a timely example of power corrupting absolutely.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Finland and Sweden, both of which had tried for decades to steer clear of superpower gamesmanship, joined NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
    Josh Holder, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • On Monday, the D.C. Circuit ended his gamesmanship, ruling decisively against his reinstatement by the lower court.
    Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Obviously, such a system is rife with uncertainty, and the history of the process is full of skulduggery, both on the club and player side.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Climax became the first ever vegan cheesemaker to win a prestigious Good Food award—though dairy complaints caused the prize to be rescinded at the last minute, with shades of the protectionist, legal skulduggery faced by non-dairy milk products.
    Andrew Rosenblum, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • No matter how Congress formally scores the price of extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as other Trump initiatives, accounting legerdemain can’t make fiscal reality disappear.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Congressional legerdemain can’t wave away that reality.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trickery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trickery. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on trickery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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