ruse

¹

[ rooz ]

noun

1. a trick, stratagem, or artifice.

Ruse

²

[ roo-sey ]

noun

1. a city in N Bulgaria, on the Danube.

Ruse

¹

/ ˈruːseɪ /

noun

1. a city in NE Bulgaria, on the River Danube: the chief river port and one of the largest industrial centres in Bulgaria. Pop: 172 000 (2005 est)

ruse

²

/ ruːz /

noun

1. an action intended to mislead, deceive, or trick; stratagem

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruse¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (noun use of obsolete rusen to detour) < Middle French, derivative of ruser to retreat. See rush ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruse¹

C15: from Old French: trick, esp to evade capture, from ruser to retreat, from Latin recūsāre to refuse

Synonym Study

See trick.

Example Sentences

Kids who just want to look at memes have become the targets of a casino’s ruse.

From Slate

It now appears that many pro-choice Americans fell for Trump’s ruse, or simply chose not to care about the dire consequences for reproductive freedom that his presidency poses.

From Slate

They have said his appeals to working-class voters are a ruse to help his wealthy friends.

From Los Angeles Times

“Anatomy of Lies” is based on Vanity Fair’s “Scene Stealer” report in May 2022 that chronicled Finch’s ruse and how she climbed the ranks behind the scenes in the writers room.

From Los Angeles Times

Set in 1943 amid World War Two, Operation Mincemeat tells the story of how Britain was able to deceive the Germans via an elaborate ruse.

From BBC

Related Words

• feint
• game plan
• gimmick
• hoax
• ploy
• sham
• stratagem
• stunt
• subterfuge