dirty tricks

plural noun

Synonyms of dirty tricksnext
: underhanded stratagems for obtaining secret information about or sabotaging an enemy or for discrediting an opponent (as in politics)
dirty trickster noun

Examples of dirty tricks in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Shandor doesn’t think Russian-style dirty tricks will work in Hungary. Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026 Secrets triumphs two to one despite Bannon adopting her own dirty tricks. Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2026 Nevertheless, following the Watergate scandal – which included bags of cash and campaign dirty tricks – Congress enacted the more comprehensive 1974 FECA Amendments to more effectively restrain big money in American politics. John J. Martin, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026 Allowing the dirty tricks to continue, at huge cost to taxpayers, for another three years is unacceptable. Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dirty tricks

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dirty tricks was in 1963

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Cite this Entry

“Dirty tricks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirty%20tricks. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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