Subterfuge
noun
A trick or act that is used to hide true intentions or actions.
He used subterfuge to achieve his goals.
Often appears as...
- a calculated subterfuge
- blatant subterfuge
Usage tips
Formal
noun
The use of tricks and dishonest methods to achieve something.
She wasn't above using subterfuge to get her own way.
Often appears as...
- political subterfuge
- diplomatic subterfuge
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A strategy or device designed to conceal, escape or evade; a deceptive trick or ploy.
The corrupt politician used subterfuge to siphon off public funds.
Often appears as...
- master of subterfuge
- resort to subterfuge
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A trick or act that is used to hide true intentions or actions.
He used subterfuge to achieve his goals.
Often appears as...
- a calculated subterfuge
- blatant subterfuge
Usage tips
Formal
noun
The use of tricks and dishonest methods to achieve something.
She wasn't above using subterfuge to get her own way.
Often appears as...
- political subterfuge
- diplomatic subterfuge
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A strategy or device designed to conceal, escape or evade; a deceptive trick or ploy.
The corrupt politician used subterfuge to siphon off public funds.
Often appears as...
- master of subterfuge
- resort to subterfuge
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Hidden Motives
Subterfuge involves concealing real goals with something less noticeable or acceptable.
He donated generously, but it was subterfuge to win public support.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Subterfuge usually implies dishonesty and isn't seen as a positive action.
The manager's subterfuge led to distrust among the employees.
Pro Tip 3/3Underhanded Methods
Subterfuge is often used to describe sneaky or shady ways of doing things.
She resorted to subterfuge to bypass the company's regulations.
Pro Tip 1/3Hidden Motives
Subterfuge involves concealing real goals with something less noticeable or acceptable.
He donated generously, but it was subterfuge to win public support.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Subterfuge usually implies dishonesty and isn't seen as a positive action.
The manager's subterfuge led to distrust among the employees.
Pro Tip 3/3Underhanded Methods
Subterfuge is often used to describe sneaky or shady ways of doing things.
She resorted to subterfuge to bypass the company's regulations.
Pro Tip 1/3Hidden Motives
Subterfuge involves concealing real goals with something less noticeable or acceptable.
He donated generously, but it was subterfuge to win public support.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Subterfuge usually implies dishonesty and isn't seen as a positive action.
The manager's subterfuge led to distrust among the employees.
Pro Tip 3/3Underhanded Methods
Subterfuge is often used to describe sneaky or shady ways of doing things.
She resorted to subterfuge to bypass the company's regulations.
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Video examples
Can you solve the secret...
As their top spy, your skills range from infiltration and subterfuge, to safecracking and reading faces for signs of deception. You’ve tracked the captors to where they’re holding the chef prisoner. From your hiding spot, you can see him on the other side of the glass,
Video examples
Ethan Nadelmann: Why we...
for dealing with drug abuse goes not to helping agencies but those that punish, and you'll find the good old U.S. of A. Why did we do this? Some people, especially in Latin America, think it's not really about drugs. It's just a subterfuge for advancing
Video examples
Can you solve the secret...
As their top spy, your skills range from infiltration and subterfuge, to safecracking and reading faces for signs of deception. You’ve tracked the captors to where they’re holding the chef prisoner. From your hiding spot, you can see him on the other side of the glass,
Video examples
Ethan Nadelmann: Why we...
for dealing with drug abuse goes not to helping agencies but those that punish, and you'll find the good old U.S. of A. Why did we do this? Some people, especially in Latin America, think it's not really about drugs. It's just a subterfuge for advancing
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Walter Murch
American Editor
There are many, many nouns for the act of looking - a glance, a glimpse, a peep - but there's no noun for the act of listening. In general, we don't think primarily about sound. So I have a different perspective on the world; I can construct soundscapes that have an effect on people, but they don't know why. It's a sort of subterfuge.
Quote examples
Wallace Shawn
American Actor
When I was a child, I did always feel that people were hiding things, and that they weren't expressing their true feelings. When adults are too complicated, and cover their emotions with layers of well-intentioned subterfuge, the child isn't seeing reality clearly enough and gets upset.
Quote examples
Barton Gellman
American Journalist
The federal government is often said in militia circles to have made wholesale seizures of power, at times by subterfuge. A leading grievance holds that the 16th Amendment, which authorizes the federal income tax, was ratified through fraud.
Quote examples
Lamar Alexander
American Politician
If the administration asks for $5 and Congress appropriates $4, that's what they get. If the government creates a subterfuge by going outside the government to raise money through a private entity, that's a violation of the law.
Quote examples
Grover Cleveland
American President
It is better to be defeated standing for a high principle than to run by committing subterfuge.
Quote examples
Calvin Coolidge
American President
The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is always simple and direct.
Quote examples
Walter Murch
American Editor
There are many, many nouns for the act of looking - a glance, a glimpse, a peep - but there's no noun for the act of listening. In general, we don't think primarily about sound. So I have a different perspective on the world; I can construct soundscapes that have an effect on people, but they don't know why. It's a sort of subterfuge.
Quote examples
Wallace Shawn
American Actor
When I was a child, I did always feel that people were hiding things, and that they weren't expressing their true feelings. When adults are too complicated, and cover their emotions with layers of well-intentioned subterfuge, the child isn't seeing reality clearly enough and gets upset.
Quote examples
Barton Gellman
American Journalist
The federal government is often said in militia circles to have made wholesale seizures of power, at times by subterfuge. A leading grievance holds that the 16th Amendment, which authorizes the federal income tax, was ratified through fraud.
Quote examples
Lamar Alexander
American Politician
If the administration asks for $5 and Congress appropriates $4, that's what they get. If the government creates a subterfuge by going outside the government to raise money through a private entity, that's a violation of the law.
Quote examples
Grover Cleveland
American President
It is better to be defeated standing for a high principle than to run by committing subterfuge.
Quote examples
Calvin Coolidge
American President
The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is always simple and direct.
Example 1 of 6
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