flimflam 1 of 2

noun

ˈflim-ˌflam How to pronounce flimflam (audio)
Definition of flimflamnext
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

flimflam

2 of 2

verb

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

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 flimflam
Noun
Marty Supreme is a movie about a charismatic flimflam man, and so its press tour has been full of flim and also flam. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025 The flimflams continue, even in Walmart’s home state of Arkansas. — Craig Silverman, ProPublica, 17 Jan. 2024 Instead, Democrats should present voters with a material choice between a party that has nothing to offer the majority of Americans but abuse and conspiratorial flimflam and a party committed to building a democracy and an economy that work for all. — Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 5 Feb. 2021 Might that statement actually be a bit of protective flimflam? — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2020 See All Example Sentences for flimflam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimflam
  1. ruse
  2. scam
  3. cheat
  4. scheme
  5. fraud
  6. hustle
  7. trick
  8. sting
Noun
  • But don’t sit at home, doing random tasks for empty nonprofits, believing in the ruse of fulfilling the necessary 200 volunteer hours to get into college.
    — Anya Joseph, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
  • Even before pro-party AI ruses were possible, the Chinese government and its supporters flooded social media with pro-China propaganda and vicious attacks on critics.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Three members of a criminal enterprise that stole financial information from hundreds of victims across North Texas have been sentenced a year after the scam was uncovered, according to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
  • The Connecticut Department of Children and Families has fallen victim to a phishing scam that may have led to confidential records being leaked.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
Definition of scam
Verb
  • The American grandmaster shed some light on his mindset following Kramnik’s cheating accusations in a livestream prior to his death, according to the Associated Press.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • Trump has also continued to claim Democrats are trying to rig or cheat in the upcoming election, remarks that have faced rebukes from members of his own party.
    — Ana Ceballos Follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • The couple are accused of operating a scheme that targeted fellow Vietnamese immigrants.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • The two were using different error correction schemes (a surface code and a color code).
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • The New York City Department of Investigation is the city’s independent watchdog agency, which investigates fraud, corruption, misconduct, municipal malfeasance, city employees, contractors, and individuals who do business with the city.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Created under the bipartisan Help America Vote Act to ensure fair, modern elections, the four-member commission now faces vacancies as the administration doubles down on its fraud-prevention agenda and appeals a court defeat.
    — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • Finally at the front of the line to enter the national memorial, the Wheelers and the Lockes took their turn through security to hustle for a good spot near the stage.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • He was hustled by Charlie Parker and was part of the American delegation at the inauguration of his good friend Nelson Mandela.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
Definition of hustle
Noun
  • Australia responded six minutes later following a trick lineout move involving hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa throwing to scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan at the front, getting the return pass and starting the movement that finished with him scoring.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • By stop-starting Gvardiol — a trick that lulls defenders into a false sense of security — and then faking to go one way and then the other, Messi found space where there seemed to be none and set up Julian Alvarez for Argentina’s third goal.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • Macron hasn’t been the only European leader stung by pension politics either.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026
  • In the Mark Dolan Show interview and in a stinging essay for the Daily Mail, Griffiths accused the king’s son of making false allegations against her.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of sting

Browse Nearby Words

flighty
flimflam
flimflammed
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Cite this Entry

“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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