1
a: an artifice or trick in war for deceiving and outwitting the enemy
b: a cleverly contrived trick or scheme for gaining an end
2
: skill in ruses or trickery
Did you know?A stratagem is any clever scheme—sometimes one that's part of an overall strategy (i.e., a carefully prepared plan of action). The word stratagem entered English in the 15th century and was originally used in reference to some artifice, such as a military plan or maneuver, that was designed to deceive or outwit the enemy. This military sense can be traced back to the word's Greek ancestor stratēgein, meaning "to act as a general." Stratēgein, in turn, comes from stratēgos (meaning "general"), which comes from stratos ("camp" or "army") and agein ("to lead"). Stratēgos is an ancestor of strategy as well; that word arrived in English more than a century after stratagem.
Choose the Right Synonym for stratagem
ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.
stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.
the stratagem-filled game
maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.
last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy
artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.
the clever artifices of the stage
wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.
used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself
feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.
a feint toward the enemy's left flank
Examples of stratagem in a Sentencetried various stratagems to get the cat into the carrier, but the feisty feline was wise to them all
Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. The scene is straight out of a stratagem by Pier Paolo Pasolini (Bertolucci’s mentor), but Palud takes it literally without applying comparable ideological critique to the rest of her film. —Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025 Its biting satire is complimented by engaging mechanics like the stratagems. —David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024 The competitors are in a trancelike state, building a stratagem. —Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024 This stratagem was exacerbated by prosecutors’ racializing of the case. —The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for stratagem Word HistoryEtymology
Italian stratagemma, from Latin strategema, from Greek stratēgēma, from stratēgein to be a general, maneuver, from stratēgos general, from stratos camp, army (akin to Latin stratus, past participle, spread out) + agein to lead — more at stratum, agent
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of stratagem was in the 15th century Cite this Entry“Stratagem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stratagem. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 7 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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