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Subterfuge: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธ
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subterfuge

 

[ หˆsสŒbtษ™fjuหdส’ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

in deception

Subterfuge refers to deceit used in order to achieve one's goal or evade something unpleasant. It often involves trickery, deceit, or evasion of the truth.

Synonyms

deceit, deception, trickery.

Examples of usage

  • He used subterfuge to avoid taking responsibility for his actions.
  • The company resorted to subterfuge to hide their financial troubles.
Context #2 | Noun

in diplomacy

In diplomacy, subterfuge can refer to the use of indirect or deceptive tactics to achieve a political goal without arousing suspicion.

Synonyms

diplomatic maneuvering, political intrigue.

Examples of usage

  • The ambassador employed subterfuge to gather information without alerting the other party.
  • Diplomats often engage in subterfuge to negotiate sensitive issues.
Context #3 | Verb

to deceive

As a verb, to subterfuge means to deceive or trick someone through cunning or deceitful means.

Synonyms

deceive, mislead, trick.

Examples of usage

  • She subterfuged her way into getting a promotion.
  • He subterfuged the authorities to avoid punishment.

Translations

Translations of the word "subterfuge" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น subterfรบgio

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค›เคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Tรคuschung

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tipuan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพะฑะผะฐะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ podstฤ™p

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ญ–็•ฅ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท subterfuge

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ subterfugio

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท hile

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์†์ž„์ˆ˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎุฏุงุน

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รบskok

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ รบskok

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฏก่ฎก

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pretveza

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ undanskot

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะปะดะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒขแƒงแƒฃแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hiylษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ subterfugio

Etymology

The word 'subterfuge' originated from late Middle English, from Old French 'soutil' meaning 'cunning' or 'skillful', combined with 'fuge' from Latin 'fugere' meaning 'to flee'. The term has evolved to encompass the concept of using cunning or deceitful tactics to achieve one's goals.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,194, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.