subterfuge

American  

[suhb-ter-fyooj] / ˈsʌb tərˌfyudʒ /

noun

1. an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence, hide something, etc.

   Synonyms:

   ruse, dodge, trick, scheme, deception

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subterfuge British  

/ ˈsʌbtəˌfjuːdʒ /

noun

1. a stratagem employed to conceal something, evade an argument, etc

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Etymology

Origin of subterfuge

1565–75; < Late Latin subterfugium, equivalent to Latin subterfug ( ere ) to evade ( subter below + fugere to flee) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

And—circling back to “Slater the Traitor”—industrial espionage is also proliferating, as individuals and nations look to gain through subterfuge.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

They found tests showed it was possible, but there was no evidence of this type of subterfuge taking place.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

Pulling it off required 18 months of meticulous planning, daring subterfuge, high-tech gadgets, cool nerves—and a dollop of luck.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Luckily, Hulu and Vanderpump have lightened up on the subterfuge themselves, turning Season 2 into a competition show that doubles as an opportunity for cross-promotion.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2025

I remembered Mrs. Van Hopper's warning of the night before about putting myself forward, and was embarrassed that he might think my talk of Monaco was a subterfuge to win a lift.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

• deception
• ploy
• ruse
• sham
• stratagem