1. a trick or stratagem intended to deceive someone

Examples

• The fake phone call was just a ruse to get her out of the house.
• He used the ruse of being a reporter to gain access to the building.
• The elaborate ruse fooled everyone at the party.
• She saw through his ruse immediately.
• The military employed a clever ruse to confuse the enemy.
• What seemed like kindness was actually a ruse to win their trust.