noun

subterfuge

subterfuge, deceit, trickery

He had to use subterfuge to get the information.

He had to use subterfuge to get the information.

Their political campaign was full of subterfuge.

Their political campaign was full of subterfuge.

to use subterfuge to employ deceit He had to use subterfuge to get inside.

full of subterfuge characterized by deceit The whole affair was full of subterfuge.

Synonyms: trickery, deceit, ruse; Antonyms: honesty, openness

From Latin 'subter' (beneath, secretly) + 'fugere' (to flee). Literally 'a secret fleeing'.

Think 'sub' (under) + 'fuge' (flee, like a fugitive). It's a trick to secretly flee from the truth.

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