1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
used the artifice of saying his grandmother had died so that he could get the last seat on the plane
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2
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
using their artifice, the Greeks crafted a hollow wooden horse to hide inside and thereby gained entry into the city of Troy
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
a painting that could only have been created with the artifice of a master
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery
a crook who is a master of artifice and manipulation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in treachery
the use of clever underhanded actions to achieve an end
he's willing to resort to artifice to get himself out of this jam
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of artifice
Did Clay dream this white woman up, or is this dour manic pixie dream girl only a literary device, the movie itself dreaming, whose attention-getting silhouette is also meant to call attention to her own artifice as a writer’s creation?
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Nurturing Diversity On Boards Beyond Gender Women leaders who understand and embrace diversity on boards from a broader perspective position their board presence beyond a gender-balance artifice.
—Albana Vrioni, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Given politicians often embed their outfits with powerful or meaningful choices—see Dr. Jill Biden’s patriotic wardrobe in shades of red, white, and blue—Trump’s wardrobe appears to be built on artifice and aesthetics instead.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
At that point, Goncalves would hope for a similar action — likely with a bit more legal artifice.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artifice
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Nurturing Diversity On Boards Beyond Gender Women leaders who understand and embrace diversity on boards from a broader perspective position their board presence beyond a gender-balance artifice.
—Albana Vrioni, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Given politicians often embed their outfits with powerful or meaningful choices—see Dr. Jill Biden’s patriotic wardrobe in shades of red, white, and blue—Trump’s wardrobe appears to be built on artifice and aesthetics instead.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
At that point, Goncalves would hope for a similar action — likely with a bit more legal artifice.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artifice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artifice
Noun
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This is, of course, a ruse to put Rick in the same room with Jim, who, according to his mother on her deathbed, killed his do-gooder dad.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
31 Mar. 2025
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Frank This character doing all the heavy lifting to keep Rick’s ruse afloat and Sam Rockwell doing all the heavy lifting to keep this plot interesting: Thank you for your service, gentlemen.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Joey Merlo’s cunning, captivating On Set With Theda Bara first lit its murky lights at the Brick a year ago — and now, in a heartening example of institutional collaboration, the Transport Group and the Lucille Lortel Theatre have pitched in as presenters to bring it back for an encore performance.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 Feb. 2024
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For Mirren, the cunning and cruelty of Whitfield is a timely example of power corrupting absolutely.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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He’s got confidence in his body and skills to challenge the rim with the aggressiveness that his frame warrants.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
-
His skills include multimedia and data reporting and video and audio editing.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This capability to detect deception should be a warning to everyone who relies on AI for critical thinking tasks.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Not only do language barriers complicate your talking with her parents, but the deception has already begun — this girl has been regularly visiting your home under false pretenses.—
Kwame Anthony Appiah,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Because of that treachery Castor was a pure mortal, but Pollux was a half god.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2025
-
After weeks of treachery and deception, the final roundtable has been viewed, and the winner or winners for The Traitors Season 3 have been revealed.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Detectives arrested a man accused in a lottery ticket stealing scheme that netted him and a partner thousands of dollars in winnings, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
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His chief adviser was also charged in state court with taking part in a separate bribery scheme.—
Jan Ransom,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As part of a review of the unit, police officials wrote that Brown, the detective assigned to the Shores case, did not investigate it for more than a year and left behind signs of suspicious activity or possible deceit.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2025
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When confronted, deceit turns their romantic evening into a darkly comedic nightmare.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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His delivery of Mantel’s dialogue—modern, intelligent, bristling with implication and subterfuge—is mesmerizingly clear.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
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With a bit of guidance, navigating between the classic go-to’s and the newer dining options are scattered throughout the properties can lead to incredible culinary discoveries, plenty of popping champagne bottles and even a dash of historical subterfuge.—
Alissa Fitzgerald,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Artifice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artifice. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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