trickery

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "trickery" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "trickery" to refer to the use of cunning or deceit to achieve an end, usually for someone's disadvantage or harm. For example, "The scam artist used trickery to get the old man to part with his savings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A hi-res version of the official Requiem website has been archived, complete with ominous music, more endless Flash animation and cool cursor trickery that you just know was shit-hot in 2000.

The Guardian - Film

Hal Robson-Kanu, who nearly scored from inches out before the break, began to trouble City down their left, with the winger's trickery allowing him to weave into the area, before poking in a ball the visitors were lucky to clear.

The Guardian - Sport

The attacking midfielder struck an impressive 10 goals in Ligue 1 while on loan at modest Bastia last season, then became France's new darling as his trickery, directness and goals helped his country win last summer's Under-20 World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

These reports often claim that it is a trivial task to take a banned drug and, with a little molecular trickery, get a Chinese lab to produce a new, legal version.

The Guardian

Instead, Zaha's trickery and Cassetti's laboured challenge left it to a man who will overtake Ryan Giggs as the oldest outfield player in the Premier League if his loan arrangement is made permanent in the summer.

The Guardian - Sport

Ringland, from Derbyshire, adopted the alias of Ant Jones, an "attractive" 14-year-old boy, to use internet chatrooms, where he lured young girls into correspondence before brainwashing them with technological trickery.

The Guardian - Tech

Among colleagues, his supposed cunning earned him the sobriquet of "Reynard", after the fox associated with trickery in European fairytales, while inevitable comparisons have also been made with Labour's Peter Mandelson.

The Guardian

The Treasury resorted to accounting trickery to delay the deadline and then a deal would be done at the last minute.

The Economist

Though Mr Osborne's trickery is always evident, so, increasingly, is the seriousness of his purpose.

The Economist

Indeed, it remains unclear how strictly it will be enforced, considering the booming market that already exists in microblog-related trickery.

The Economist

Since she couldn't see herself that way, he did it by trickery, exploiting her merely relative grasp of pitch to transpose her exercises upwards from C to E flat until one day, in the midst of a furious row, the Voice burst out in a perfect top F sharp that astounded both of them.In 1954 they married, and from then until her retirement in 1990 she never sang a role unless Ric approved it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trickery" when you want to emphasize the cunning and deceptive nature of actions intended to mislead or manipulate. It is particularly apt when describing situations involving elaborate schemes or clever stratagems.

Common error

Avoid using "trickery" to describe genuine errors or accidents. "Trickery" implies intentional deception, so ensure the context clearly indicates deliberate intent to mislead. If the actions are unintentional, consider using terms like "error", "oversight", or "misjudgment" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "trickery" is as a noun, often functioning as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the use of deceptive or cunning actions to achieve a goal. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is considered correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trickery" functions as a noun denoting deceptive practices. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. Its primary function is to describe instances of deception or cunning, often with a negative connotation. The term is most frequently encountered in news and media, with neutral formality suitable for various contexts. For alternatives, consider synonyms like "deception", "guile", or "chicanery", choosing based on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. When using "trickery", ensure the context clearly indicates intentional deception rather than mere mistake. As Ludwig AI shows, "trickery" is a versatile term with a wide range of applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chicanery

Refers to the use of deception or subterfuge to achieve one's purpose.

deceptive practices

Emphasizes the methods used to mislead or deceive, focusing on actions rather than the abstract concept.

underhanded tactics

Highlights the unfair and unethical nature of the methods employed.

deceitful schemes

Focuses on the planned and intentional nature of the deception.

cunning maneuvers

Stresses the clever and strategic aspect of the deceptive actions.

fraudulent activities

Implies illegal or criminal deception, emphasizing financial or legal wrongdoing.

artifice and deception

Highlights the use of clever tricks and deceit to manipulate others.

crafty manipulation

Emphasizes the skill and cunning used to control or influence others.

guile and deceit

Focuses on the sly and cunning nature of the deception involved.

Machiavellian tactics

Implies ruthless and cunning strategies, often associated with political maneuvering.

FAQs

How can I use "trickery" in a sentence?

You can use "trickery" to describe deceptive or underhanded behavior. For instance, "The magician's act relied heavily on visual trickery", or "The company was accused of accounting trickery to inflate its profits".

What are some synonyms for "trickery"?

Synonyms for "trickery" include "deception", "guile", "chicanery", and "deceit". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "trickery" a formal or informal word?

"Trickery" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it may be more commonly used in news reporting and analytical writing than in casual conversation. Its appropriateness depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What's the difference between "trickery" and "fraud"?

"Trickery" refers to general deceptive practices, while "fraud" specifically implies criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. "Fraud" carries legal implications that "trickery" does not necessarily have.