Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun stratagem

2 senses of stratagem

Sense 1
ploy, gambit, stratagem -- (a maneuver in a game or conversation)
       => maneuver, manoeuvre, tactical maneuver, tactical manoeuvre -- (a move made to gain a tactical end)

Sense 2
contrivance, stratagem, dodge -- (an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade; "his testimony was just a contrivance to throw us off the track")
       => scheme, strategy -- (an elaborate and systematic plan of action)