as in deception
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end
propagandists who use a kind of photographic subterfuge, superimposing one image on another to create a false "reality"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subterfuge
The only safe refuge, 20 miles away, is the federal garrison at Harpers Ferry, but reaching it will require much subterfuge and even more luck.
—
Alida Becker, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Remember when Russia was that pesky geopolitical force who’s own constant secrecy and subterfuge brought about the downfall of its imperial ambitions?
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025
But this subterfuge is perhaps the very substance of the paintings.
—Zoë Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
The line that the AI isn’t forming a personal opinion is a kind of sneaky subterfuge.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterfuge
Alida Becker, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Remember when Russia was that pesky geopolitical force who’s own constant secrecy and subterfuge brought about the downfall of its imperial ambitions?
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025
But this subterfuge is perhaps the very substance of the paintings.
—Zoë Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
The line that the AI isn’t forming a personal opinion is a kind of sneaky subterfuge.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterfuge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subterfuge
Noun
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Last summer, an exponentially growing audience of fans watched her fall head-over-heels for Brit Aaron Evans, only to be left heartbroken over his deception and sobbing to an entirely too appropriate Sabrina Carpenter song chosen by the show's editors.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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Finding The Right Balance The cost of workplace deception is more than just a nasty surprise come employee feedback day.—
Dmitry Malin,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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The six-parter, to debut July 14, follows six groups of friends, and six historical cases of murder and treachery among them.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2025
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But amid the bloodbaths and treacheries, Westeros still penciled in time for a little romance — some more compelling than others (Jon and Ygritte > Jon and Daenerys).—
Tyler Aquilina,
EW.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the Carlson interview, Kennedy dismissed the many studies and scientific consensus that shots don’t cause autism as nothing more than statistical trickery.—
Patricia Callahan,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
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Indeed, in the 1950s, a magician from New York named John Mulholland was secretly contracted with the agency to write a manual for Cold War spies on trickery and deception.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
Noun
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One is inclined to ask how much chicanery, deceit, deception and outright lying one must absorb before ending one’s allegiance to that party.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 June 2025
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Despite the chicanery, this is a solid deal for a phone that isn’t wildly different from the Pixel 9.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
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What followed were weeks of negotiations and political gamesmanship, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) dared Democrats to oppose a test vote on the legislation.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2025
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For Borchetta to sell her off to Braun was seen as gamesmanship, especially since both men openly strutted about the deal.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
Noun
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From encounters with mermaids, the devil and even Robin Hood to themes of superstition and skulduggery, these short tales are perfect escapism to dip in and out of during your summer vacation.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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This year the skulduggery began early and has been raging for week.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ukraine's systems are shrouded in secrecy, but the country is believed to have between six and seven operational Patriot batteries.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
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After committing a hit-and-run and swearing each other to secrecy, this quartet is stalked by The Fisherman, a man wielding a killer hook.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
17 July 2025
Noun
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Despite being outnumbered fifty-to-one by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
22 July 2025
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Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subterfuge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subterfuge. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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