subterfuge
noun
sub·ter·fuge
ˈsəb-tər-ˌfyüj 
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Subterfuge Has Latin Roots
Though subterfuge is a synonym of deception, fraud, double-dealing, and trickery, there's nothing tricky about the word's etymology. We borrowed the word and meaning from Late Latin subterfugium. That word contains the Latin prefix subter-, meaning "secretly," which derives from the adverb subter, meaning "underneath." The -fuge portion comes from the Latin verb fugere, which means "to flee" and which is also the source of words such as fugitive and refuge, among others.
Synonyms
Examples of subterfuge in a Sentence
And the same kind of subterfuge that causes employees to open a virus-laden attachment could also lead them to unknowingly install programs that ship all their data to unscrupulous competitors.
—
Paul Wallich, Scientific American, July 2000
Williams has worn a wedding ring for the past decade. Originally it was a fake diamond used as a subterfuge during her days as an activist in Central America …
—Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, February 1998
The first pool appeared on the scene in 1791, organized to manipulate stock of the U.S. Bank. Members of a pool contributed money, which was handed over to a single operator, who put into effect various strategies and subterfuges. He could depress the price of a stock, buy a lot at the low point, then artificially raise the price, and sell at a profit; or he might sell short, then depress the price and make a profit.
—Kathleen Odean, High Steppers, Fallen Angels, and Lollipops, 1988
They obtained the documents by subterfuge.
propagandists who use a kind of photographic subterfuge, superimposing one image on another to create a false “reality”
Paul Wallich, Scientific American, July 2000
Williams has worn a wedding ring for the past decade. Originally it was a fake diamond used as a subterfuge during her days as an activist in Central America …
—Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, February 1998
The first pool appeared on the scene in 1791, organized to manipulate stock of the U.S. Bank. Members of a pool contributed money, which was handed over to a single operator, who put into effect various strategies and subterfuges. He could depress the price of a stock, buy a lot at the low point, then artificially raise the price, and sell at a profit; or he might sell short, then depress the price and make a profit.
—Kathleen Odean, High Steppers, Fallen Angels, and Lollipops, 1988
They obtained the documents by subterfuge.
propagandists who use a kind of photographic subterfuge, superimposing one image on another to create a false “reality”
Recent Examples on the Web
Putin’s ties to social media What Putin lacks as a military leader, the former KGB secret agent makes up for in subterfuge.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024
When Lorraine’s cocoon of wealth begins to crack after Dot’s subterfuge, Wayne’s injuries, Roy’s threats, and Danish’s disappearance, Leigh centers the Queen of Debt’s humanizing concern.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2024
Such a tradition is mere subterfuge for ensuring that elites, and not the public, decide what happens.
—Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins, Foreign Affairs, 10 July 2017
The Democratic National Committee pumped millions of dollars into casting them as spoilers at best and deceptive vessels of Republican subterfuge efforts at worst.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
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Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024
When Lorraine’s cocoon of wealth begins to crack after Dot’s subterfuge, Wayne’s injuries, Roy’s threats, and Danish’s disappearance, Leigh centers the Queen of Debt’s humanizing concern.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2024
Such a tradition is mere subterfuge for ensuring that elites, and not the public, decide what happens.
—Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins, Foreign Affairs, 10 July 2017
The Democratic National Committee pumped millions of dollars into casting them as spoilers at best and deceptive vessels of Republican subterfuge efforts at worst.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subterfuge
Dictionary Entries Near subterfuge
Cite this Entry
“Subterfuge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subterfuge. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subterfuge
noun
sub·ter·fuge
ˈsəb-tər-ˌfyüj
1
: the action of deceiving usually by slyness in order to avoid some unpleasant circumstance (as to escape blame)
2
: a plan or trick that employs sly deception
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