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

---

subterfuge British  

/ ˈsʌbtəˌfjuːdʒ /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of subterfuge

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

Explanation

If you want to surprise your mom with a sweatshirt, but don't know her size, it might take an act of subterfuge, like going through her closet, to find it out. Subterfuge is the use of tricky actions to hide or get something. It's pronounced "SUB-ter-fyooj." As a countable noun, a subterfuge is a tricky action or device: She employed a very clever subterfuge to get the information she needed. Subterfuge is derived from the Old French suterfuge, which is ultimately from the Latin subterfugere, "to escape," from subter, "secretly, under" plus fugere, "to flee."

Example Sentences

He added that that U.S. used subterfuge to mislead the Iranians who were searching for the downed aviator.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Through methods like search engine optimization and other nifty page-ranking subterfuge, this nonverified content climbs to the top of search results and people’s consciousness.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

And Tehran now sees the Witkoff track as subterfuge.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Nonetheless, rogue states proceeded toward nuclear-power status through determination and subterfuge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 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