subterfuge
Calculated evasive maneuver
Subterfuge is deception used to achieve a goal—a trick or stratagem that conceals one's true intentions.
The word implies cunning rather than brute force: She gained access through subterfuge, posing as a delivery driver.
Subterfuge often carries a negative connotation, suggesting dishonesty rather than clever maneuvering, though the line between the two depends on who's judging.
Deceptive plan for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
dodge · contrivance · expedient · feint · pretext · machination · scheme · trap
Deliberate misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
chicanery · artifice · sham · hoax · scam · con · dishonesty · fakery
Concealment through visual blending
- maskFace-worn concealment
- veilFabric that obscures
- coverProtect by overlaying
- concealmentAct of hiding something
shroud · screen · facade · smokescreen · blind · pretense · guise · masquerade
Secret plotting or fascination
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
cabal · collusion · connivance · manipulation · sabotage · betrayal · skulduggery · coup
Covert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
operative · surveillance · mole · infiltration · counterintelligence · reconnaissance · handler · tradecraft
stratagem
Deceptive plan for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
ruse · dodge · contrivance · expedient · feint · pretext · machination · scheme · trap · ambush
deceit
Deliberate misleading of others
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
guile · chicanery · artifice · sham · hoax · scam · con · dishonesty · fakery · imposture
camouflage
Concealment through visual blending
concealment · shroud · screen · facade · smokescreen · blind · pretense · guise · masquerade · incognito
intrigue
Secret plotting or fascination
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
conspiracy · cabal · collusion · connivance · manipulation · sabotage · betrayal · skulduggery · coup · sedition
spy
Covert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
intelligence · operative · surveillance · mole · infiltration · counterintelligence · reconnaissance · handler · tradecraft · dead-drop
sneak
Move with stealth
evasion · surreptitious · stealthy · undetected · shadow · skulk · slip · silent · ghost · clandestine
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
- cunning tacticscunning, guile, ruse, ploy, stratagem
subterfugehonesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
candor · forthrightness · sincerity · directness · truthfulness
subterfugedirect approach
Unsubtle, frontal method
frontal assault · plain dealing · fair play · brute force · bluntness
subterfugestraightforwardness
Quality of being direct
directness · fair play · direct action · plain dealing · fair dealing