Stratagem

/ˈstɹæt.ə.d͡ʒəm/ · noun

Meaning

A tactic or artifice designed to gain the upper hand, especially one involving underhanded dealings or deception..

Definitions by Sense

1. A tactic or artifice designed to gain the upper hand, especially one involving underhanded dealings or deception.
2. Specifically, such a tactic or artifice in military operation.
3. (uncountable) Military deception or artifice.
4. (uncountable) Cunning and artifice in general.
5. (obsolete) A violent deed.

Example Sentences

Near-synonyms: ploy, ruse

Tis pollicie and ſtratageme muſt doo / That you affect, and ſo muſt you reſolue, / That vvhat you cannot as you vvould atchiue, / You muſt perforce accompliſh as you may: […]

She will not yet be permitted to return to the Manor House: it is too convenient for 'treasons, stratagems,' &c.; and it is as well not to be put in the way of temptation: but she will be allowed perfect liberty in London.

While Collins does include a love triangle, a coming-of-age story, and other YA-friendly elements in the mix, they serve as a Trojan horse to smuggle readers into a hopeless world where love becomes a stratagem and growing up is a matter of basic survival.

His fiery eies are fixt vpon the earth. As if he now deuiſ’d some Stratageme: Or meant to pierce Auernus darkſome vauts. To pull the triple headed dog from hell.

Synonyms for stratagem

Antonyms for stratagem

Related Words

Word Forms

• stratagems

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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