flimflams 1 of 2

noun

plural of flimflam
1
as in ruses
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 scams
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

flimflams

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of flimflam
as in cheats
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimflams
  1. ruses
  2. scams
  3. cheats
  4. schemes
  5. frauds
  6. squeezes
  7. devices
  8. stings
Noun
  • There’s a delightful secret history of Hollywood directors whose ruses and stratagems bought them an unusual amount of leeway with their scripts.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 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 ruses
Noun
  • In a social media post on Thursday, the Ojai Raptor Center alerted its supporters to potential scams involving merchandise featuring Big Bear's bald eagle, Jackie.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Tips to avoid fake rental listing scams A little extra checking can protect your moving budget and your identity.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of scams
Verb
  • Any forward who cheats for defence, as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has for much of his career, will play an elevated role on a Babcock team.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Though Lesnar rarely cheats to win, Femi isn’t going to lose clean.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Definition of cheats
Noun
  • It's also given rise to smuggling schemes to bring AI hardware into China, prompting international investigations and the arrests of many high-profile employees at companies such as Super Micro and Nvidia.
    — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Derwick ultimately came under scrutiny by investigators in Venezuela, the US and Spain who suspected ties to money laundering schemes involving PDVSA funds.
    — Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of schemes
Noun
  • In 2018, Modi was accused by Indian authorities of orchestrating one of the country’s largest bank frauds in modern history.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for orchestrating what prosecutors have called one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of frauds
Verb
  • Whereas the Scranton method mainly involves molding ultrahot steel in giant forging presses, Repkon added a step in which a fast-spinning machine squeezes and rolls out the metal like clay on a potter’s wheel.
    — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Among them, the missiles are difficult to manufacture, supply chain squeezes can interrupt production, and missile production decisions are also made years in advance.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of squeezes
Noun
  • Apple's AirTag is among the popular devices that help people find their keys or other items.
    — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • On July 28, the nearby city of Stoughton also voted to cancel its own Flock contract, paying a $12,500 early buyout fee after intense local opposition to the devices.
    — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of devices
Verb
  • February 19 – March 20 Your words may show where being misunderstood still stings.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
  • For van Ess, the decision particularly stings because Google Earth has long been regarded as one of the best tools to verify information posted on social media.
    — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 31 July 2026
Definition of stings
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.

Browse Nearby Words

flimflamming
flimflams
flimsiness
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Cite this Entry

“Flimflams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflams. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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