What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
artifice
Example
The magician's artifice amazed the audience as he made the rabbit disappear. [artifice: noun]
Example
She used artifice to convince her boss that she deserved a promotion. [artifice: noun]
guile
Example
He relied on guile to win the poker game, bluffing his opponents with a weak hand. [guile: noun]
Example
The politician's guile allowed him to sway public opinion and gain support. [guile: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Guile is less commonly used than artifice in everyday language. Artifice is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, including art, design, and strategy, while guile is more specific to describing cunning or deceitful behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between artifice and guile?
While artifice is more formal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, guile is slightly less formal and is more commonly used in informal settings.
