deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource.
magicians are masters of deception
fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice.
indicted for fraud
double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude.
a go-between suspected of double-dealing
subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end.
obtained the papers by subterfuge
trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat.
resorted to trickery to gain their ends
Example Sentences
He resorted to trickery to get what he wanted. Delia resorted to trickery—even loading up the fishing equipment—to induce her dog into the car for his vet appointment.
Recent Examples on the WebThe Man, in addition to being the second best overall performance of the weekend (keep reading), had a little trickery to them. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2022 Were there stunt people, or was every bit of this brought off with computer trickery? Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Aug. 2022 And from that point, no amount of slicing or trickery could save her. Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 9 July 2022 But there's so much sheer acting talent and narrative trickery built into every episode. Darren Franich, EW.com, 15 June 2022 But for the hours of schmoozing that preceded the photo, no such digital trickery was necessary.New York Times, 7 Mar. 2022 So that was an attempt essentially to use subterfuge and trickery and coercion to overthrow the will of the people.NBC News, 19 June 2022 The book described two methods for reproducing long lists of random objects—one involved trickery and the other required memorization. David Hill, Harper’s Magazine , 27 Apr. 2022 What unfolds is a triangular story of conflict, deceit, trickery and seduction every bit as complicated as a modern-day romcom.Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2022 See More