Pick the formal, common word "artifice" when you want to point out how someone's actions are both skilled and manipulative.

You might talk about someone's artifice, or how someone does something by, with, or through artifice. "U2 remade itself with electronic beats and artifice" (New York Times). You might talk about the artifice of some process or stunt: "I hate the artifice of going through security at the airport, the whole 'security theater' thing." You might point out how certain politicians and con artists have a gift for artifice. Or you might talk about people disdaining artifice, exposing artifice, rejecting the artifice of some stunt, etc.

You can also strike a positive tone by pointing out how something doesn't use artifice, how it lacks artifice, or how it's free from artifice, meaning it's heartfelt, unstudied, or even spontaneous.

Although "artifice" usually carries a negative tone, you might use it in a neutral or positive sense when you talk about the artifice inherent in acting or performing. "The best live theater actors make you forget about the artifice of the stage."

"In 'The Golden Bachelor'... [women are] competing for the same guy within the stressful artifice of a reality show." 
— Danielle J. Lindemann, Salon, 30 November 2023

"Satire's role is to tell the truth, or at least get close to it and show the artifice behind which power hides." 
— Eric Vuillard, as quoted by Tobias Grey, New York Times, 24 April 2023

has this page helped you understand "artifice"?

Awesome, I'm glad it helped!

Thanks for letting me know!
If you have any questions about this word, please message me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.

study it:

Explain the meaning of "artifice" without saying "maneuvers" or "machinations."

try it out:

According to a writer for Salon, in the late 1970s, the popular music industry was full of artifice: the one-size-fits-all kind of artifice that turns music into "a manufactured product designed to cater to the masses." Rebelling against this artifice were bands like the Sex Pistols, who made music to "reflect genuine emotions and experiences."

Talk about what this means, and whether or not you agree. What's the artifice here, and who are the artificers, according to this writer? Do you think the music industry is full of artifice today?

If you like, use this space to write. (To save your work, copy and paste it into an email or a document.)

before you review, play:

Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.

Our game this month is "It Sounds Wiser in Latin."

Longtime readers will recognize this game. It's back, with fresh new (okay, mostly ancient) Latin idioms!

Try matching a handful of Latin phrases to their English translations. If you need some clues, I'll provide them in the form of definitions of related English words. For example, the clue "Something anguine reminds you of a snake" could help you determine that "Latet anguis in herba" means "A snake hides in the grass."

You can see the answers by scrolling to the bottom of the issue. 

Try these today:

1. Acquirit qui tuetur.
2. Aegrescit medendo.
3. Ductus exemplo.
4. Effectus sequitur causam.
5. Fidite nemini.

A. Effect follows cause.
B. Lead by example.
C. Sparing is the first gaining.
D. The remedy is often worse than the disease.
E. Trust no one.

To peek at the clues, follow the links:

   1. Someone acquisitive is...
   2. If you're diffident, you don't have...
   3. Something ductile is...

review this word:

1. The opposite of ARTIFICE could be

A. DUBIETY: the quality of being unsure, uncertain, or not convinced.
B. TENEBROSITY: the quality of being hard to understand, as if hidden by darkness.
C. INGENUOUSNESS: the quality of being open and honest in an innocent, childlike way.

2. If you say that some song or other work of art is "free from artifice," you mean _____.

A. it conveys a story or an emotion entirely without words
B. it expresses only a single core idea with clarity and simplicity
C. it comes from the heart and plays no tricks on the person enjoying it

Answers to the review questions: 1. C 2. C Answers to the game questions: 1. Acquirit qui tuetur. = Sparing is the first gaining. 2. Aegrescit medendo. = The remedy is often worse than the disease. 3. Ductus exemplo. = Lead by example. 4. Effectus sequitur causam. = Effect follows cause. 5. Fidite nemini. = Trust no one.

a final word:

I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love. I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From my blog: On vocabulary...       36 ways to study words.       Why we forget words, & how to remember them.       How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. On writing...       How to improve any sentence.       How to motivate our kids to write.       How to stop procrastinating and start writing.       How to bulk up your writing when you have to meet a word count. From my heart: a profound thanks to the generous patrons, donors, and sponsors that make it possible for me to write these emails. If you'd like to be a patron or a donor, please click here. If you'd like to be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. A disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.