1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
giving the new guy at work her cell phone number—"in case of an emergency"—was just a flimflam to pique his romantic interest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in scam
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
just the latest Internet flimflam to get e-mail recipients to reveal bank account numbers and other personal information
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
everyone likes to think that they're too smart to be flimflammed by anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flimflam
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2022
Hopefully, few readers will be taken in by this flimflam.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2022
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for flimflam
Noun
This is the language of partisan flimflam, not sober healthcare policymaking.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2022
Hopefully, few readers will be taken in by this flimflam.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2022
Verb
But liars like Kari Lake, who lost a bid for Arizona governor by parroting former President Trump’s falsehoods and hopes now to flimflam her way to a Senate seat, are only the most visible threat to our system of democracy.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for flimflam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimflam
Noun
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Carreyrou acknowledged an obvious objection to this thesis—that there is a lengthy paper trail of Back corresponding with Satoshi—but explains it away by saying that Back was actually writing to himself as part of an elaborate ruse to throw would-be unmaskers off the trail.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
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By the finale, the ruse is revealed, and the star walks away with prize money and a behind-the-scenes tour of The Truman Show–esque operation.—
Angelina Mazza,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Security company Trend Micro has documented that actors who’ve worked on past operations benefiting the North Korean government have used these addresses, particularly in scams involving fake recruiters.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
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Such attacks range from spreading malware and executing identity theft scams to producing deepfake videos and launching ransomware attacks, according to cybersecurity experts.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Teachers are certainly no strangers to cheating.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
13 Apr. 2026
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Everyone in this film has got a con (or five), lying and cheating non-stop, but Wilder doesn't pass judgment.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the meantime, Vx Underground says the malware used in the attack shares a command-and-control server with another scheme spotted last month involving a look-alike FileZilla site hosting a Trojanized copy of the software.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2026
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During the hearing, Hamdan admitted to creating and operating a scheme to submit false and fraudulent claims for prescription drugs.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Almost immediately after releasing Einstein, Paliwal started receiving emails from professors chastising him for creating a tool seemingly designed to perpetuate academic fraud.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
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As part of that project, Vance announced the administration would temporarily halt $243 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota over fraud concerns, a move over which the state has since sued.—
Ali Swenson,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The crowd applauded when Rahm took the bag from Garcia and started carrying it himself as caddie Adam Hayes hustled to catch up to the players.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Senior forward Amanda Ratz, a first-year varsity player, hustled to get to the ball, and then the Huskies were off to the races on a counterattack.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Supernova the Strongwoman will dazzle the crowd with risky tricks and demolition.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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CEOs who have climbed to the top of their industries have an eagle eye for talent who drive success—and many have developed their own tricks to find the right hires.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With a stinging defeat in the rearview mirror, Charles Lee knows the task at hand for the Charlotte Hornets.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Okay, this one might sting a little.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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