stratagem

[ strat-uh-juhm ]

See synonyms for: stratagem stratagems on Thesaurus.com

noun

a plan, scheme, or trick for surprising or deceiving an enemy.
any artifice, ruse, or trick devised or used to attain a goal or to gain an advantage over an adversary or competitor: business stratagems.

Origin of stratagem

1480–90; (<Middle French stratageme) <Italian stratagemma war ruse <Latin stratēgēma<Greek stratḗgēma instance of generalship, derivative of stratēgeîn to be in command, derivative of stratēgós military commander (see strategy)

synonym study For stratagem

1, 2. See trick.

Other words for stratagem

2	deception, intrigue, device, maneuver, contrivance

See synonyms for stratagem on Thesaurus.com

Other words from stratagem

strat·a·gem·i·cal [strat-uh-jem-i-kuhl], /ˌstræt əˈdʒɛm ɪ kəl/, adjective
strat·a·gem·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with stratagem

stratagem , strategy

Words Nearby stratagem

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use stratagem in a sentence

“Texas has employed an array of stratagems designed to shield its unconstitutional law from judicial review,” Roberts wrote.
Supreme Court says Texas abortion providers may proceed with challenge of six-week ban, leaves law in effect for now | Robert Barnes | December 10, 2021 | Washington Post
This was the stratagem of leftists everywhere for a long, long time.
Thad Cochran Wins One for Sanity Over Tea Partier Chris McDaniel | Michael Tomasky | June 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Mao was a master of the ancient Empty City stratagem, which seeks to conceal weakness with a show of confidence, even aggression.
Dr. K’s Rx for China | Niall Ferguson | May 17, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
The stratagem worked, because the ships went about from one tack to the other without being seen by the Dutch.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624 | Various
But I always suspected it was a stratagem on his part to avoid playing, and that nothing really ailed him.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy Fay

Aunty Rosa had credited him in the past with petty cunning and stratagem that had never entered into his head.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard Kipling
Lady Arabella Seymour escaped from confinement in the tower of London by stratagem.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
Rabelais was not more cunning when he hit upon his stratagem for getting carried to Paris.
Friend Mac Donald | Max O'Rell

British Dictionary definitions for stratagem

stratagem

/ (ˈstrætɪdʒəm) /

noun

a plan or trick, esp one to deceive an enemy

Origin of stratagem

C15: ultimately from Greek stratēgos a general, from stratos an army + agein to lead

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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