trickery

[ trik-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural trick·er·ies.

1. the use or practice of tricks or stratagems to deceive; artifice; deception.
2. a trick used to deceive.

trickery

/ ˈtrɪkərɪ /

noun

1. the practice or an instance of using tricks

   he obtained the money by trickery

Word History and Origins

Origin of trickery¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; trick + -ery

Synonym Study

See duplicity.

Example Sentences

But recapturing the lightning-in-a-bottle cultural phenomenon of “Blair Witch” proved difficult as audiences grew more savvy to such marketing trickery.

From Los Angeles Times

After the stock market boom of the late 1990s, Americans were stunned and angered to learn that the energy firm Enron and telecommunication-services provider WorldCom had used accounting trickery to inflate their reported profits.

From New York Times

This is similar to the demon trickery DD used on me.

From Literature

Ghost Army outwitted the Germans using inflatable tanks, radio trickery, costumes and impersonations.

From Seattle Times

Since his breakthrough novel ‘City of Glass,’ Paul Auster has been known for postmodern trickery.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chicanery
• deceit
• dishonesty
• razzle-dazzle
• scam
• shell game
• stunt