How many letters does the top answer for “a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)” have?

The most common answer is artifice (8 letters).

Crossword clue: a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)

2 answers found in Letterora's clue database (Wikidata facts, Open Trivia DB, WordNet and Webster definitions — all licensed sources).

artifice 8 letters wn-def

a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)

ruse 4 letters wn-def

a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)