A stratagem is a plan that is intended to achieve a particular effect, often by deceiving people.
[formal]
Trade discounts may be used as a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty.
Synonyms: trick, scheme, manoeuvre, plan More Synonyms of stratagem
stratagem in British English
(ˈstrætədʒəm)
noun
a plan or trick, esp one to deceive an enemy
Word origin
C15: ultimately from Greek stratēgos a general, from stratos an army + agein to lead
stratagem in American English
(ˈstrætədʒəm)
noun
1.
a trick, scheme, or plan for deceiving an enemy in war
2.
any trick or scheme for achieving some purpose
SIMILAR WORDS: trick
Word origin
LME stratageme < L strategema < Gr stratēgēma, device or act of a general < stratēgos, a general < stratos, army (for IE base see strew) + agein, to lead: see act1
Examples of 'stratagem' in a sentence
stratagem
They avoided drawing too much attention at Arlanda by a simple stratagem thought up by Tweed.
Forbes, Colin COVER STORY (2004)
Satisfied that his stratagem had worked, Newman settled back in his seat and extracted a bank note from his wallet.
Forbes, Colin COVER STORY (2004)
* * * They went indoors and Wakeley spelled out his stratagem.
Mark Mills AMAGANSETT (2004)
At the same time, he tried desperately to think of some stratagem or cunning ploy.
Garth Nix ABHORSEN (2004)
(noun)
Definition
a clever plan to deceive an enemy
a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty
Synonyms
trick
That was a really mean trick.
scheme
a quick money-making scheme
manoeuvre
manoeuvres to block the electoral process
plan
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
plot
a plot to overthrow the government
device
His actions are obviously a device to buy time.
intrigue
the plots and intrigues in the novel
dodge
It was probably just a dodge to stop you going away.
ploy
a cynical marketing ploy
ruse
This was a ruse to divide them.
artifice
the artifice and illusion of sleight-of-hand card tricks
subterfuge
Most people can see right through that type of subterfuge.
feint
a tiny feint or lunge to one side
wile
tactic
His tactic to press on paid off.
gambit
They said the plan was no more than a clever political gambit.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of artifice
Definition
a clever trick
the artifice and illusion of sleight-of-hand card tricks
Synonyms
cunning,
scheming,
trick,
device,
craft,
tactic,
manoeuvre,
deception,
hoax,
expedient,
ruse,
guile,
trickery,
duplicity,
subterfuge,
stratagem,
contrivance,
chicanery,
wile,
craftiness,
artfulness,
slyness,
machination,
dodge
in the sense of device
Definition
a scheme or plan
His actions are obviously a device to buy time.
Synonyms
ploy,
scheme,
strategy,
plan,
design,
project,
shift,
trick,
manoeuvre,
stunt,
dodge,
expedient,
ruse,
artifice,
gambit,
stratagem,
wile
in the sense of dodge
Definition
a cunning and deceitful trick
It was probably just a dodge to stop you going away.
Synonyms
trick,
scheme,
ploy,
trap,
device,
fraud,
con (slang),
manoeuvre,
deception,
scam (slang),
gimmick,
hoax,
wheeze (British, slang),
deceit,
ruse,
artifice,
subterfuge,
canard,
feint,
stratagem,
contrivance,
machination,
fastie (Australian, slang)
Nearby words of
stratagem
strapped
strapped for
strapping
stratagem
strategic
strategist
strategy
Synonyms of 'stratagem'
stratagem
Explore 'stratagem' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of feint
Definition
a misleading movement designed to distract an opponent, such as in boxing or fencing
a tiny feint or lunge to one side
Synonyms
bluff,
manoeuvre,
dodge,
mock attack,
play,
blind,
distraction,
pretence,
expedient,
ruse,
artifice,
gambit,
subterfuge,
stratagem,
wile
in the sense of gambit
Definition
an opening remark or action intended to gain an advantage
They said the plan was no more than a clever political gambit.
Synonyms
tactic,
move,
policy,
scheme,
strategy,
trick,
device,
manoeuvre,
ploy,
stratagem
in the sense of intrigue
Definition
secret plotting
the plots and intrigues in the novel
Synonyms
plot,
scheme,
conspiracy,
manoeuvre,
manipulation,
collusion,
ruse,
trickery,
cabal,
stratagem,
double-dealing,
chicanery,
sharp practice,
wile,
knavery (old-fashioned),
machination
in the sense of manoeuvre
Definition
a contrived, complicated, and possibly deceptive plan or action
manoeuvres to block the electoral process
Synonyms
stratagem,
move,
plan,
action,
movement,
scheme,
trick,
plot,
tactic,
intrigue,
dodge,
ploy,
ruse,
artifice,
subterfuge,
machination
in the sense of plan
Definition
a method thought out for doing or achieving something
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
Synonyms
scheme,
system,
design,
idea,
programme,
project,
proposal,
strategy,
method,
suggestion,
procedure,
plot,
device,
scenario,
proposition,
contrivance
in the sense of plot
Definition
a secret plan for an illegal purpose
a plot to overthrow the government
Synonyms
plan,
scheme,
intrigue,
conspiracy,
cabal,
stratagem,
machination,
covin
in the sense of ploy
Definition
a manoeuvre designed to gain an advantage in a situation
a cynical marketing ploy
Synonyms
tactic,
move,
trick,
device,
game,
scheme,
manoeuvre,
dodge,
ruse,
gambit,
subterfuge,
stratagem,
contrivance,
wile
in the sense of ruse
Definition
an action or plan intended to mislead someone
This was a ruse to divide them.
Synonyms
trick,
deception,
ploy,
hoax,
device,
manoeuvre,
dodge,
sham,
artifice,
blind,
subterfuge,
stratagem,
wile,
imposture (formal)
in the sense of scheme
Definition
a secret plot
a quick money-making scheme
Synonyms
plot,
dodge,
ploy,
ruse,
game (informal),
shift,
intrigue,
conspiracy,
manoeuvre,
machinations,
subterfuge,
stratagem
in the sense of subterfuge
Definition
a trick or deception used to achieve an objective
Most people can see right through that type of subterfuge.