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
The international tourist trade — a key source of Hollywood foot traffic — had a tough 2025 amid the fires and Trump’s foreign and trade policy gambits.
—
Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
At that time, the Bears responded enthusiastically to Indiana’s gambit.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
But Democrats' gambit to eliminate the fund failed in a 49 to 50 vote on an amendment that kicked off the vote series.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 June 2026
The legendary Chicago Bull ended as a Washington Wizard at age 40, then embarked on a team-ownership gambit that was wildly unsuccessful.
—Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
At that time, the Bears responded enthusiastically to Indiana’s gambit.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
But Democrats' gambit to eliminate the fund failed in a 49 to 50 vote on an amendment that kicked off the vote series.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 June 2026
The legendary Chicago Bull ended as a Washington Wizard at age 40, then embarked on a team-ownership gambit that was wildly unsuccessful.
—Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
-
The ruse was surprisingly straightforward.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
17 June 2026
-
Tsietsi was delighted by the ruse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Noun
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The plea agreement reasserts that Lillig engaged in a years-long scheme, but only includes details of one instance of Lillig defrauding the church of $500.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
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Warren's letter cites Department of Justice cases alleging third-party schemes diverted hundreds of millions in Nvidia chips, including H100s and H200s, to China.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Artists and couturiers are fond of the whimsy of trompe l’oeil, the trick of the eye, the illusion of reality.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Cohesion is the trick, and color does most of the work.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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