WILE Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'wile' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of wile are artifice , feint , maneuver , ruse , stratagem , and trick . While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements. // used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

Q: When can 'artifice' be used instead of 'wile'?

The synonyms artifice and wile are sometimes interchangeable, but artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention. // the clever artifices of the stage

Q: When would 'feint' be a good substitute for 'wile'?

The words feint and wile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent. // a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Q: When is 'maneuver' a more appropriate choice than 'wile'?

The words maneuver and wile can be used in similar contexts, but maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty. // last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

Q: When could 'ruse' be used to replace 'wile'?

Although the words ruse and wile have much in common, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression. // the ruses of smugglers

Q: Where would 'stratagem' be a reasonable alternative to 'wile'?

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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'trick' instead of 'wile'?

While in some cases nearly identical to wile , trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end. // the tricks of the trade

wile 1 of 2

noun

ˈwī(-ə)l

Definition of wile next

as in ruse

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end had to use all of her wiles to convince her guests to stay for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in deception

the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end it took both wile and cajolery to talk him into it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wile

2 of 2

verb

as in to fascinate

to attract or delight as if by magic her stories of the Old South could wile anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of wile are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and trick. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

When can artifice be used instead of wile?

The synonyms artifice and wile are sometimes interchangeable, but artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for wile?

The words feint and wile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

When is maneuver a more appropriate choice than wile?

The words maneuver and wile can be used in similar contexts, but maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When could ruse be used to replace wile?

Although the words ruse and wile have much in common, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

Where would stratagem be a reasonable alternative to wile?

In some situations, the words stratagem and wile 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 it sensible to use trick instead of wile?

While in some cases nearly identical to wile, trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

Examples 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 wile

Noun

As a type, there is something of the frontier sheriff or noir detective in the exorcist, someone who has rubbed up against seamy outlaws and knows their wiles. —

Sam Kestenbaum, Harper's Magazine, 21 June 2024 Suazo leaves behind a son and a daughter wile Luna was a father of three. —

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2024

Verb

As four survivors of a zombie armageddon, the gang wiles away their boredom by racking up zombie kills and invading swanky homes, one of them occupied by Bill Murray in an excellent shock cameo. —

Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2024 So far, McCarthy hasn't been wiling to bring up bipartisan funding legislation that would include Ukraine aid for a vote. —

Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for wile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wile

Noun

Back-to-school reality:Campus shootings rose dramatically last year Sheriff: Suspect used a 'ruse' to gain entry to the school The shooting occurred shortly after 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday, according to Honea.

Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
They were given out-of-state weather reports to help play up the ruse in their small talk with customers.

Joel Jacobs, ProPublica, 23 Dec. 2024