stratagem

A stratagem is a plan or maneuver designed to achieve an advantage, often by deception. It can be a single clever trick or a broader ploy within a larger strategy, intended to outwit an opponent or to secure a favorable outcome in a competitive situation. While the term is commonly associated with military planning, it is also used to describe clever approaches in politics, business, games, and everyday life.

The word stratagem has its roots in Old French stratageme, which in turn derives from Latin stratagema and Greek stratēgēma, referring to a military device or plan. Over time, stratagems have come to denote not only legitimate tactics but also deceptive techniques meant to mislead opponents.

In practice, stratagems appear in many domains. In military history, they include feints, ruses, ambushes, and other devices intended to misdirect the enemy. In literature and rhetoric, a stratagem can be a narrative or argumentative device designed to gain an advantage. In modern contexts, business leaders and negotiators may employ stratagems to influence outcomes, while in games and sports, cunning plays or deceptive moves are described as stratagems.

A stratagem is distinct from a tactic in that it emphasizes a cunning or deceptive plan aimed at achieving a specific advantage, often within a broader strategic framework. While sometimes ethically neutral, stratagems can raise questions about fairness and deception. Related terms include ruse, ploy, and trick.