as in scam
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
it's amazing how intelligent people fall for that investment-fund shell game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shell game
This is a shell game — follow the ball as the three cups rotate.
—
Alexander Ooms, Denver Post, 27 May 2025
Trump lawyers are 'throwing spaghetti against the wall' or are playing a 'shell game' to see what legal strategies work to defend his policies in court battles, experts say.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025
The law is getting in the way of this shell game—for now.
—Karen Tumlin, Time, 6 May 2025
Similarly, the drawdown of the United States’ war in Afghanistan means that the United States has less reason to ignore Pakistan’s nuclear proliferation and shell games with the Haqqani network and other terrorist groups.
—Andrew L. Peek, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2016
See All Example Sentences for shell game
Alexander Ooms, Denver Post, 27 May 2025
Trump lawyers are 'throwing spaghetti against the wall' or are playing a 'shell game' to see what legal strategies work to defend his policies in court battles, experts say.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025
The law is getting in the way of this shell game—for now.
—Karen Tumlin, Time, 6 May 2025
Similarly, the drawdown of the United States’ war in Afghanistan means that the United States has less reason to ignore Pakistan’s nuclear proliferation and shell games with the Haqqani network and other terrorist groups.
—Andrew L. Peek, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2016
See All Example Sentences for shell game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell game
scam
Noun
-
This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Nearly four years after an East Bay woman was victimized in a six-figure cryptocurrency investment scam, police said much of the money has been recovered.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shell game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell%20game. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
