1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
that free dinner is just a sales gimmick to get you to listen to their sales pitch
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2
as in gadget
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use
a car equipped with a parking spot locator and other neat gimmicks
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized
the deal sounds too good to be true, so make sure there aren't any gimmicks
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gimmick
These choices reflect the brand’s values and weren’t a marketing gimmick.
—
Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
However, this is not just a branding gimmick.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
But Con Azucar Cafe is more than just a TikTok gimmick.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Jan. 2026
Even in the ‘70s, Wood was a throwback to an earlier era, relying on a gimmick pitch that wasn’t very common then and is now virtually obsolete.
—Joe Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
However, this is not just a branding gimmick.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
But Con Azucar Cafe is more than just a TikTok gimmick.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Jan. 2026
Even in the ‘70s, Wood was a throwback to an earlier era, relying on a gimmick pitch that wasn’t very common then and is now virtually obsolete.
—Joe Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmick
Noun
-
Or, perhaps, this was all just an elaborate ruse to clear a roster spot for third-string point guard Pat Spencer.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Seth Rollins has been out with a legitimate injury, but after his ruse to win at SummerSlam, anything is possible with him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His take on smart glasses isn't typical consumer gadgets from past tech flops, but advanced industrial AR glasses that offer real-time guidance, safety alerts and operational insights directly in a worker's field of view.—
Sarwant Singh,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Plus, score beauty gems like a Prada Eau de Parfum and a viral K-beauty skin care gadget.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For a new resort that has both a busy beach club and a more private guests-only aspect, the service goes off without a hitch.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But his manipulation skills are amateurish at best, and the fact that almost all of his plans go off without a hitch is pretty far-fetched.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June 2025.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Roman, 53, who was born in Atlantic City, is expected to coordinate the run game as a complement to Nagy’s passing scheme that has its roots with future Hall of Fame Chiefs coach Andy Reid.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Together, these tools create a more streamlined, precise, and safer approach to the repetitive and high-volume tasks common in large-scale data center projects.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
In Mendonça’s work, memory functions as a tool of defiance.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The risk remained even after researchers accounted for how closely people followed a healthy Mediterranean-style diet.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Of course, any intense media scrutiny risks being distracting, especially when it is not directly related to the work of the foundation.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Insights into Alzheimer’s Interestingly, the molecular tricks spiders use to spin their webs are similar to the sophisticated signaling processes found in human neurotransmitter and hormone receptors.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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One easy trick can turn those misshapen lumps with scraggly edges into gorgeous, bakery-worthy treats.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement That’s not to say the show escapes every Marvel (and particularly Disney-Marvel) pitfall.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
This necessitates a reassessment of the stock's valuation to determine whether this represents an opportunity or a pitfall.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gimmick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmick. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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