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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Recent Examples of gambit
But to many Iranians, such a gambit will look like an American and Israeli effort to dismantle the country.
—
Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
The gambit was meant to speed the agency’s approval should the Netflix deal crumble.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The gambit failed spectacularly, but four years on, Putin is still demanding severe limitations on Ukrainian sovereignty.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
The Tigers’ decision, both drafting Clark and paying McGonigle an overslot $2,847,500, was a bold gambit for a franchise just returning to relevance.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
The gambit was meant to speed the agency’s approval should the Netflix deal crumble.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The gambit failed spectacularly, but four years on, Putin is still demanding severe limitations on Ukrainian sovereignty.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
The Tigers’ decision, both drafting Clark and paying McGonigle an overslot $2,847,500, was a bold gambit for a franchise just returning to relevance.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
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The shooting occurred following an apparent theft ruse by Thomas, who was captured on video twice stopping by Angelo’s Jewelry in the 3800 block of West 26th Street.—
William Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
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While the ruse was going, Schreiner lashed out at anyone who was skeptical.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Ari Lauer is set to be sentenced Monday for assisting high-flying East Bay fraudsters Jeff and Paulette Carpoff and their company, DC Solar, pull off what the government says amounted to the largest criminal fraud scheme ever within the sprawling federal court district that includes Sacramento.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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Do’s daughter as a condition of the bribery scheme.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The trick is whether Anthropic can hold onto its soul in the process.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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It's riddled with cheffy tricks but not in alienating way.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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