Word: subterfuge

Associations

Subterfuge means using tricks or dishonest methods to achieve a goal. It often involves deceit to hide the truth.

• You might use subterfuge in a business setting where someone lies about their qualifications to get a promotion.
• In a story, a character might use subterfuge to avoid getting caught by the police, like pretending to be someone else.
• When playing a game, a player may use subterfuge to mislead opponents and win unfairly.

A synonym for subterfuge is "deception" but the key difference is that subterfuge often implies cleverness and planning, while deception can be more general and straightforward.

Substitution

In place of subterfuge, you might use:

• "Deceit," which emphasizes dishonesty.
• "Trickery," which suggests playful or cunning behavior.
• "Cunning plan," indicating a clever strategy, but it may not always involve dishonesty.

Deconstruction

The word "subterfuge" comes from the Latin root subterfugi which means "to escape secretly."

• The prefix "sub-" means "under" or "below."
• The root "terfugio" relates to fleeing or escaping. So, it conveys the idea of escaping from observation or truth.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you had to use clever tricks to solve a problem, whether serious or light-hearted?
• How might subterfuge affect trust in a relationship or a team?
• In what situations do you think using subterfuge might be considered acceptable?