subterfuge

Meaning

1. (countable) An indirect or deceptive device or stratagem; a blind. Refers especially to war and diplomatics.
2. (uncountable) Deception; misrepresentation of the true nature of an activity.

Synonyms

deception

trick

artifice

evasion

stratagem

shift

excuse

wile

blind

trickery

contrivance

ruse

elusion

stall

strategy

bluff

quibble

tergiversation

quirk

deceit

prevarication

red herring

ruff

runaround

salvo

shenanigan

sleight

stalling

stunt

tactic

tactics

thaumaturgy

tip

twist

wheeze

artful

jiggery-pokery

chicanery

claptrap

conjuration

contraption

cop-out

craftiness

cunning

device

dodge

expedient

hoax

jugglery

loophole

Translations

subterfugio

subterfuge

kunstgreep

sotterfugio

streek

foefje

kneep

subterfugi

Trick

subterfúgio

uitvlucht

υπεκφυγή

scusa

Ausflucht

artifice

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsʌbtəɹˌfjuːd͡ʒ/

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French subterfuge m, from Medieval Latin subterfugium n, from Latin subterfugiō (“I flee secretly”), from subter (“under”) and fugiō (“I flee”).