| ruse(cause, excuse, pretense, guise) |
| ploy(noun, cause, trick, excuse) |
| feint(cause, excuse, pretense, ploy) |
| pretext(noun, cause, reason, excuse) |
| cover-up(noun, cover, cause, excuse) |
| device(noun, cause, trick, excuse) |
| stratagem(cause, excuse, pretense, ploy) |
| subterfuge(cause, excuse) |
| cloak(cause, excuse, disguise, veil) |
| cover(noun, cause, excuse, disguise) |
| fig leaf(noun, expression, cover, cause) |
| guise(cause, excuse, disguise, cloak) |
| mask(noun, cover, cause, excuse) |
| masquerade(cover, cause, excuse, disguise) |
| veil(noun, cover, cause, excuse) |
| affectation(cause, excuse, pretense, ploy) |
| alibi(cause, excuse) |
| appearance(cause, excuse, pretense, ploy) |
| bluff(cause, excuse, pretense, ploy) |
| cause |