Thesaurus results for RUSES

ruses

noun

plural of ruse

as in deceptions

an act that is used to fool someone His act was just a clever ruse to get me to go out with him.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ruses There’s a delightful secret history of Hollywood directors whose ruses and stratagems bought them an unusual amount of leeway with their scripts. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026 Even before pro-party AI ruses were possible, the Chinese government and its supporters flooded social media with pro-China propaganda and vicious attacks on critics. — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 Such offenders will use all different ruses to distract the victim, such as claiming to be utility workers, tree trimmers, or handymen working on neighbors' houses. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 30 June 2026 They are accused of using several ruses to force their way into people’s homes, assaulting unsuspecting residents and holding them hostage for their own money, and demanding access to their crypto accounts. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 May 2026 The New York Colored American reported that some offers of short-term work for Black men — moving livestock to or from Kentucky, for example — were ruses that ended with kidnappings. — Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025 Many suspect a spam call and don't pick up the phone, leading foundation staff to sometimes devise ruses. — Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025 Episode 4 finds both Ellen and Julia throwing themselves headlong into plans that require them to keep up major ruses. — Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruses

Noun

The Muskego Police Department is warning Muskego High School students about consequences of pranks causing damage after the department received over 20 complaints in less than two weeks.

— Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2026
The set includes a variety of items, including a new book entitled Slappy’s Book of Pranks, which includes directions for over 20 different pranks, Slappy trivia, a history of pranking, jokes and an introduction by Stine himself.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of pranks

Noun

At home in Makhaza township, about 40 minutes from the college, Lubelo spends his free time watching magic shows online and practicing tricks on his brothers and parents.

— Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
The practical special effects seem to be on the booer’s side, leaning on stagy but charming in-camera tricks that have gone out of style, like switching actors between close-ups.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of tricks

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ruse

ruses

rush

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“Ruses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruses. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ruses

noun

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