subterfuge

Noun

something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity
- "he wasn't sick--it was just a subterfuge"
An indirect or deceptive device or stratagem; a blind. Refers especially to war and diplomatics.
Deception; misrepresentation of the true nature of an activity.

Examples

Overt subterfuge in a region nearly caused a minor accident.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French subterfuge m, from Medieval Latin subterfugium n, from Latin subterfugiō (“I flee secretly”), from subter (“under”) and fugiō (“I flee”).

Synonyms

blind

Scrabble Score: 16

subterfuge: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
subterfuge: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
subterfuge: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

subterfuge: valid Words With Friends Word