noun. A scheme or maneuver designed to achieve an objective, as in surprising an enemy or deceiving someone. synonym: wile.

noun. The devising or execution of such schemes or maneuvers.

noun. An artifice in war; a plan or scheme for deceiving an enemy.

noun. Any artifice; a trick by which some advantage is intended to be obtained.

noun. Synonyms and

noun. Artifice, Manæuver. Trick, etc. See artifice.

noun. Deception, plot, trap, device, snare, dodge, contrivance.

noun. An artifice or trick in war for deceiving the enemy; hence, in general, artifice; deceptive device; secret plot; evil machination.

noun. A deceptive tactic designed to gain the upper hand. Typically, involves underhanded dealings and obfuscation.

noun. an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade

noun. a maneuver in a game or conversation

"Can regulators distinguish this kind of stratagem from the case of fair and justified engineering decisions that happen to cause a little temporary jitter?"

strategic  strategist  strategy  

maneuver  manoeuvre  tactical maneuver  tactical manoeuvre  

artifice  chicanery  conspiracy  contrivance  dissimulation  

action  ad hoc measure  alibi  answer  apology