subterfuge — A deceptive strategy or trick used to avoid something unpleasant or to achieve one's goal. An artifice designed to conceal, escape, or evade.
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: A deceptive strategy or trick used to avoid something unpleasant or to achieve one's goal. An artifice designed to conceal, escape, or evade.
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsʌbtərˌfjuːdʒ/
Example Sentences
- The spy master's subterfuge was so elaborate that even his own team didn't know the real plan.
- My cat uses subterfuge by pretending to sleep while secretly plotting to knock my coffee mug off the table.
- The company's financial subterfuge was eventually exposed by investigative journalists.
subterfuge
NOUN[/ˈsʌbtərˌfjuːdʒ/]
A deceptive strategy or trick used to avoid something unpleasant or to achieve one's goal. An artifice designed to conceal, escape, or evade.
A deceptive strategy or trick used to avoid something unpleasant or to achieve one's goal. An artifice designed to conceal, escape, or evade.
His subterfuge behind the painting huge leads to refuge!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin subterfugere, meaning 'to escape secretly' or 'to flee by stealth.' The word literally described the act of sneaking away underground like a mole to avoid detection.
Breakdown
subter- (beneath/secretly) + fug- (to flee) + -e (verb ending)
🎵Rhyme
📝Examples
“The spy master's subterfuge was so elaborate that even his own team didn't know the real plan.”
“My cat uses subterfuge by pretending to sleep while secretly plotting to knock my coffee mug off the table.”
“The company's financial subterfuge was eventually exposed by investigative journalists.”
“He employed subterfuge by wearing a fake mustache to avoid his ex-girlfriend at the grocery store.”
📚Related Words
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