Which word describes the use of tricks to deceive someone, often for monetary gain?

The word that best describes the use of tricks to deceive someone, particularly for monetary gain, is "chicanery." This term specifically refers to actions or methods that involve trickery or deceit, especially in a legal or financial context. Chicanery often involves manipulating or misrepresenting facts to achieve a desired outcome, reflecting a level of dishonesty aimed at benefiting oneself, often at the expense of others.

While "fraudulence" also deals with deceptive practices, it is more broadly associated with the act of committing fraud, which is a legal term referring to wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. "Coercion" involves forcing someone to act in a certain way, typically through threats, and does not necessarily imply deceit or trickery. "Condescension" refers to a patronizing attitude, where someone approaches others with a sense of superiority, which is unrelated to deceit for financial gain.

Thus, "chicanery" captures the essence of deceitful tricks aimed at monetary benefit more precisely than the other choices.