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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 gambit
Her gambit works, and the season ends with Macy telling Franks that there's insufficient evidence to pursue the case.
—
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
The all-or-nothing moonshot pay plan was a gambit so risky even Axon Enterprise CEO Rick Smith’s wife was against it.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025
One programming gambit that captures more attention in the current era is news commentary and partisan presentation.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
This gambit circumvents the notorious way that measurements destroy quantumness.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
The all-or-nothing moonshot pay plan was a gambit so risky even Axon Enterprise CEO Rick Smith’s wife was against it.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025
One programming gambit that captures more attention in the current era is news commentary and partisan presentation.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
This gambit circumvents the notorious way that measurements destroy quantumness.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
-
But federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say the ex-athletes and all the other players were in on a ruse, using technology to rig the outcome.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
But the ruse hits a snag when Taylor's boss (Tia Mowry) starts to question Hugh Mann's credentials, and Taylor starts dating the son of the resort owner (New Amsterdam's Ryan Eggold).—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the below example, against Real Oviedo’s zonal scheme protecting the six-yard box, three players run away from goal and one to the near-post to attack Marcus Rashford’s outswinger, resulting in Araujo scoring.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
All of that has left the Heat seeking answers in the immediate aftermath of Rozier’s Thursday arrest stemming from his alleged involvement in a sports betting scheme.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating are also on this month's calendar for the shelter's young residents, who range from under a year old to 18.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The trick was just finding that next pile of exorbitant wealth and luring it in with our siren song of cultural relevance and creative ambition.—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share