as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
The seemingly benign questioning was all just a gambit to get them to fess up to their wrongdoing.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gambit
The gambit worked — to a degree.
—
Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
My own guess is that Sarkozy may have justified the gambit to himself on the grounds that Qaddafi owed France.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
In September, Lara proposed a regulation that would cut organizations representing consumers out of rate reviews — a gambit that ultimately led to several such groups calling for his resignation last fall.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Beijing reads the American turn toward imperial neo-mercantilism as a geopolitical gambit to contain China’s rise.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
My own guess is that Sarkozy may have justified the gambit to himself on the grounds that Qaddafi owed France.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
In September, Lara proposed a regulation that would cut organizations representing consumers out of rate reviews — a gambit that ultimately led to several such groups calling for his resignation last fall.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Beijing reads the American turn toward imperial neo-mercantilism as a geopolitical gambit to contain China’s rise.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
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Seth Rollins has been out with a legitimate injury, but after his ruse to win at SummerSlam, anything is possible with him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Federal agents are currently roaming cities under the ruse of going after murderers and rapists but are instead pulling anyone who doesn't fit their idea of what an American looks like out of cars, homes and schools using thuggish methods.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Monica Cannon-Grant, 44, pleaded guilty in September 2025 to 18 of 27 counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud and failing to file tax returns related to a scheme in which Cannon-Grant and her late husband, Clark Grant, pocketed thousands of dollars in donations to their nonprofit.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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The lawsuit alleges that pharmacy benefit managers and insulin manufacturers created and participated in a pricing scheme that led to an increase in the price of insulin and increased profits.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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So much grunt routes through a trick all-wheel-drive system that actually uses a two-speed gearbox ahead of the engine between the front wheels, in addition to a more traditional eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle routing power to the rears.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Our mother figures and friends can serve as the best sources of inspiration for beauty tips and tricks, thanks to many years of trial and error.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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