Synonyms for artifice
- noun
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
Definitions
- n. 1
Crafty deception.
Forms
- Plural
- artifices → ruses, artificialities, subtleties, contrivances…
Choose the right word
An artifice is a carefully and delicately prepared contrivance for doing indirectly what one could not well do directly. Finesse is especially subtle contrivance, delicate artifice, whether for good or evil.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- ruse All the sweet talk was just a ruse to get her into bed.
- subtlety Subtlety has never been your strong suit.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| artifice | rising | |
| ruse | rising | |
| subtlety | steady | |
| contrivance | falling | |
| artificiality | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- art1
- 4 letters
- ruse1
- 5 letters
- trick1, fraud1, guile1
- 6 letters
- device2, deceit2
- 7 letters
- cunning2, finesse2
- 8 letters
- intrigue2, subtlety3, trickery3
- 9 letters
- deception3, duplicity4, stratagem3, chicanery4, imposture
- 10 letters
- subterfuge3
- 11 letters
- contrivance3, affectation4
- 13 letters
- artificiality
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (device2 = 2 syllables).