subterfuge

Noun

subterfuge (countable and uncountable, plural subterfuges)

1. (countable) An indirect or deceptive device or stratagem; a blind. Refers especially to war and diplomatics.
   • Overt subterfuge in a region nearly caused a minor accident.
   • How’s the spy hunt going? Uncovered any subterfuge?2010, Clare Vanderpool, Moon Over Manifest, →ISBN, →OCLC
2. (uncountable) Deception; misrepresentation of the true nature of an activity.
   • But in the mean time […] it looks all ſo like ſubterfuge and inveagling; it is ſo nauſeating and teadious a task, that no man thinks he ovvs the Author ſo much ſervice as to find out the reaſon of his ovvn Categoricalneſs for him.1672, [Andrew Marvell], The Rehearsal Transpros’d: Or, Animadversions upon a Late Book, Entituled, A Preface, Shewing what Grounds there are of Fears and Jealousies of Popery, London: [s.n.], →OCLC...
   • I have been critical of the RDG in the past for merely being a cypher for government announcements, but the failure of its members to make a stand on this issue and not be complicit in the Government's subterfuge is a shocking indictment of their failure to protect the industry.2023 July 26, Christian Wolmar, “Closing ticket offices to lead to 'catch-22' for passengers”, in RAIL, number 988, page 42