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Definition of ruse

ruse

/ruːz/
ruse
Plural:ruses
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ruse Lexical Profile

ruse Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An action, plan, or trick intended to deceive someone or conceal one's true purpose.

Example

"The sudden phone call from a supposed delivery driver turned out to be a clever ruse to confirm whether the house was empty."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for ruse

• Nearby Words

rurally
ruralness
ruscus
ruse
rush
rushee
rusher

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into late Middle English from Old French ruse, originally a hunting term referring to the evasive twists and turns of a hunted animal, from ruser ('to drive back or dodge'), ultimately from Latin recusare ('to refuse').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ruse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ruse
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