Synonyms of shell game

shell game

noun

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

• scam
• fraud
• con
• swindle
• scheme
• sting
• device
• hoax
• pyramid scheme
• fiddle
• bunco
• Ponzi scheme
• hustle
• trick
• flimflam
• cross
• racket
• fix
• thimblerig
• jig
• counterfeit
• dodge
• three-card monte
• stratagem
• soaking
• gouging
• ploy
• forgery
• wile
• overcharging
• rip-off
• fake
• sham
• gimmick
• sleight
• phony
• humbug

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shell game

The grand jury’s focus was the shell game played with $10 million that rightfully belonged to the Florida Medicaid program. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026

Nate Davis had some thoughts after McDermott was fired, writing that the NFL's coaching carousel has devolved into an absurd shell game. — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 23 Jan. 2026

Expedia played a shell game with your money, wasted your time with useless chatbots and ignored paper trails. — Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026

Budget shell games, in other words. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!