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stratagem

Noun

IPA /ˈstrætədʒəm/

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Meaning in plain English

A clever plan or trick used to gain an advantage.

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Pronunciation

stratagem/ˈstrætədʒəm/

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A player wants to distract an opponent
They devise a clever diversion
The opponent follows the false lead

A stratagem is a clever plan or trick used to gain an advantage.

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Her stratagem was to distract the children while the cake was hidden.
The students examined the general's stratagem in the history lesson.

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stratagem — A clever plan or trick used to gain an advantage.

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A clever plan or trick used to gain an advantage.

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Word origin

Through French and Latin from Greek strategema, originally connected with a general's military planning.

Did you know?

Stratagem often suggests a specific clever manoeuvre rather than a broad long-term plan.

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