Stratagem: meaning, definitions and examples

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stratagem

 

[ หˆstrรฆt.ษ™.dส’ษ™m ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

warfare

A plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end.

Synonyms

maneuver, plan, scheme, tactic.

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Word Description / Examples
stratagem

Used when referring to a clever or sneaky plan designed to outwit an opponent or achieve a goal, often implying cunning.

  • They came up with a brilliant stratagem to outsmart their rivals.
  • Her stratagem to win the game involved misleading her opponent.
scheme

Often implies a secret or dishonest plan, carrying a negative connotation.

  • The CEO was caught in a scheme to embezzle funds.
  • They uncovered a scheme to cheat on the exam.
plan

Used in everyday contexts to describe a detailed proposal for achieving something. It is a broad term that can be applied to various situations.

  • Let's make a plan for our trip next month.
  • She devised a plan to improve her fitness routine.
tactic

Best used when referring to an action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end, often in competitive situations.

  • His defensive tactic helped the team avoid a loss.
  • She employed a clever tactic to win the negotiations.
maneuver

Appropriate in contexts where skillful or strategic movement or action is involved, often in a physical or military sense.

  • The general's maneuver led the troops to a favorable position.
  • He executed a delicate maneuver to avoid the oncoming traffic.

Examples of usage

  • He was known for his clever stratagems on the battlefield.
  • The general devised a brilliant stratagem to surprise the enemy.
  • Their success was due to a series of well-executed stratagems.
Context #2 | Noun

general

A cleverly contrived trick or scheme for gaining an end.

Synonyms

gambit, ploy, ruse, trick.

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Word Description / Examples
stratagem

A well-thought-out plan or scheme designed for achieving a specific end, often in a competitive or adversarial situation.

  • The general devised a clever stratagem to outmaneuver the enemy forces.
  • Her stratagem to win the game involved distracting her opponent at a crucial moment.
trick

A specific act or method used to deceive someone, often considered to be somewhat dishonest or playful. It can be used in both negative and lighthearted contexts.

  • He played a trick on her by hiding her keys.
  • The magician's trick left the audience in awe.
ploy

A tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, often by slightly deceptive means. It is usually used in a more casual or everyday context.

  • Her ploy to avoid doing homework was pretending to be sick.
  • The advertisement was just a ploy to get customers into the store.
ruse

A deceitful trick or act intended to mislead or deceive someone.

  • The thief used a ruse to distract the guard while his partner stole the jewels.
  • It was all a ruse to make us think he was out of town.
gambit

A calculated move or tactic, especially one that involves some risk or sacrifice, used to gain an advantage in a game or situation.

  • Asking a question to start the negotiation was an interesting gambit.
  • In chess, he made a bold gambit by sacrificing his queen early in the game.

Examples of usage

  • She employed a stratagem to get the information she needed.
  • The politician's stratagem to win the election was successful.
  • His stratagem involved a series of carefully orchestrated moves.

Translations

Translations of the word "stratagem" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น estratagema

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคพเคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช List

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ siasat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัั‚ั€ะฐั‚ะตะณะตะผะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ fortel

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ญ–็•ฅ (ใ•ใใ‚Šใ‚ƒใ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท stratagรจme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ estratagema

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท strateji

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฑ…๋žต (์ฑ…๋žต)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุญูŠู„ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lest

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ lesลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ญ–็•ฅ (cรจlรผรจ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ trik

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ bragรฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะนะปะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฎแƒ”แƒ แƒฎแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hiylษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ estratagema

Etymology

The word 'stratagem' originated from the Greek word 'stratฤ“gฤ“ma', which means 'a military act'. It entered the English language in the late 15th century, borrowing from the Old French 'estratageme'. The concept of stratagem has been a key element in warfare throughout history, with military leaders using clever tactics and schemes to outmaneuver their enemies.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,695, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.