Definitions

ruse

[rooz] / ruz /

NOUN

trick, deception

Synonyms

STRONGEST

feint game plan gimmick hoax ploy sham stratagem stunt subterfuge

STRONG

angle artifice blind deceit device dodge gambit game imposture jig maneuver scenario shenanigans shift switch twist wile

WEAK

booby trap curveball

Antonyms

STRONG

frankness honesty openness reality stagnation truth truthfulness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And am I correct that this particular passage really exposes the ruse?

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

Thaksin was jailed last September, after the Supreme Court ruled that the six months he spent in a police hospital after his return to Thailand had been a ruse to avoid serving his sentence.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

Two of the companies fell for the ruse, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Markets will make wrong reads, fall for a ruse or bad news that turns out to be not so bad after all.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

It was possible that Commander Root would try another ruse.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Vocabulary lists containing ruse

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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The Diary of a Young Girl

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The Hunger Games

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