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
Relevance
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
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
Noun
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The New York Colored American reported that some offers of short-term work for Black men — moving livestock to or from Kentucky, for example — were ruses that ended with kidnappings.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025 -
Many suspect a spam call and don't pick up the phone, leading foundation staff to sometimes devise ruses.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In a world of AI deepfakes and terrifyingly realistic scams, using the same three passwords and hoping for the best is basically an open invitation for trouble.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
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If the tool spots patterns common to scams—like suspicious job offers from new contacts—it'll prompt users to submit the chat for review, then encourage them to report or block the account.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Inspired by real stories, Eva Marcille portrays a wife who miraculously cheats death after her husband’s (Tyler Lepley) betrayal in Pushed Off a Plane and Survived airing on February 28.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Blashill wants the Blackhawks to be a fast-pressure team at both ends of the rink, one that attacks vertically but never cheats for offense.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
How pump-and-dump schemes work From the Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange, the FBI says pump-and-dump complaints have jumped 330% over the last year.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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The last year has seen several high-profile athletes and coaches charged by the Justice Department in sports betting and related gambling schemes.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Once recruited, victims were allegedly forced to conduct romance scams, fake cryptocurrency investment schemes and other online frauds targeting victims abroad.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
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The frauds have grown nearly in lockstep with the growth of the industry.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Drew Angerer / Getty Images file For months, school officials have floated proposals to relocate or close at least four middle schools on the Upper West Side, citing low enrollment, funding squeezes, academic performance and compliance with a 2022 law requiring class-size reductions by 2028.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
1 Mar. 2026
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While most bullion coins track spot closely, certain products remain in higher demand during supply squeezes or retail rushes.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
New Jersey this year passed a law requiring licenses, registration and insurance for the devices following an uptick in e-bike deaths.—
Alissa Gary,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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When terror suspects’ names appear in headlines — particularly when fireworks or homemade devices are mentioned — Weimer said the response inside Phantom Fireworks is almost automatic.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And that’s the part that stings.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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The loss stings, but doesn’t change the outlook of TCU’s chances of contending during March Madness.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Flimflams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflams. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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