wile 1 of 2

noun

ˈwī(-ə)l How to pronounce wile (audio)
Definition of wilenext
1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end had to use all of her wiles to convince her guests to stay for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in deception
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end it took both wile and cajolery to talk him into it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wile

2 of 2

verb

as in to fascinate
to attract or delight as if by magic her stories of the Old South could wile anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wile different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of wile are artifice, feint, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, and trick. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

When can artifice be used instead of wile?

The synonyms artifice and wile are sometimes interchangeable, but artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When would feint be a good substitute for wile?

The words feint and wile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

When is maneuver a more appropriate choice than wile?

The words maneuver and wile can be used in similar contexts, but maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

When could ruse be used to replace wile?

Although the words ruse and wile have much in common, ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

Where would stratagem be a reasonable alternative to wile?

In some situations, the words stratagem and wile are roughly equivalent. However, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When is it sensible to use trick instead of wile?

While in some cases nearly identical to wile, trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

Example Sentences

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 wile
Noun
Determined to find their way back to their humans, the wise Shadow, the sarcastic Sassy, and the impulsive Chance attempt to navigate their way home using only their wiles and each other. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025 The 31-year-old right-hander struck out three wile allowing just one hit in 2⅓ innings in Triple-A El Paso’s 7-2 loss to visiting Sugar Land. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026
Verb
Tuck into a plate of catfish at nearby Taylor Grocery, catch a show at The Lyric, and wile away the next morning in Square Books. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025 Europe generally speaking is on Ukraine’s side, wants a settlement to the war to be as close to Kyiv’s preferences as possible and isn’t wiling to explore a detente with Moscow until the war is over. — Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wile
  1. ruse
  2. deception
  3. fascinate
  4. trick
  5. treachery
  6. charm
  7. scheme
  8. trickery
Noun
  • At face value, a $10 million rental is an exorbitant fee for a ruse.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 1 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
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Guo was convicted of nine of 12 criminal charges during a seven-week trial that prosecutors said showcased his deception of thousands of investors in bogus deals that enabled Guo’s lavish lifestyle.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • By the time the deception was uncovered, the employee had authorized $25 million in transfers.
    — Kevin Pierce, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of deception
Verb
  • The Vesuvius disaster and its immense human toll continue to fascinate historians and the public millennia later.
    — Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Denby, as a critic, was fascinated by the great dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, as much for his expressions as for his torso, arms, or legs.
    — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of fascinate
Noun
  • The trick is to widen your view deliberately, one angle at a time, because each new angle surfaces buyers the last one missed.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Now, as heat waves wash over cities from London to Palm Springs, people are embracing this tried-and-true trick with the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Guides spoke of the monthlong siege that ended only because of the treachery of a local noble who turned on the sultan and allowed British troops to scale the walls.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
  • This is not treachery but the truest and noblest affection.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of treachery
Verb
  • Folks loved her food and were charmed by her cheerful nature.
    — Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 27 June 2026
  • After Scotland’s beer-guzzling fans charmed locals in Boston, the Tartan Army’s party has decamped to the heat of Miami for a clash with five-time champion Brazil.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026
Definition of charm
Noun
  • The Empire State Building frequently switches up its lighting scheme to commemorate special events throughout the year.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
  • The other company whose shares were manipulated in the scheme, E-Waste, had an even higher market cap at some point, despite being nothing more than a shell company.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • West said Eisner was particularly delighted with the stage trickery that allowed a child actor to be seen as Chip, a teacup.
    — Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
  • The absolute key to France’s attack is the telepathic understanding brewing between Mbappé and Olise, whose combined trickery and close control are in perfect harmony.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of trickery

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Cite this Entry

“Wile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wile. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of wile for Spanish Speakers

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