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
And during his seven minutes on the court, Gilgeous-Alexander conspicuously played off of the ball, rarely initiating the offense, in a gambit to keep him fresher later in the game.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 14 June 2025
Boutiques are warning her that dress orders might take longer than nine months to arrive, as some designers are making the gambit to hold their shipments from China, banking on tariffs to fade out.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 29 June 2025
But given the billion-dollar stakes and power of the AI industry, Mickey is going to need one hell of a gambit to come out on top (or even alive).
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 26 June 2025
Trading into the draft from entirely outside of it would be an even more dramatic gambit than what Booth did for DaRon Holmes II.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 14 June 2025
Boutiques are warning her that dress orders might take longer than nine months to arrive, as some designers are making the gambit to hold their shipments from China, banking on tariffs to fade out.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 29 June 2025
But given the billion-dollar stakes and power of the AI industry, Mickey is going to need one hell of a gambit to come out on top (or even alive).
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 26 June 2025
Trading into the draft from entirely outside of it would be an even more dramatic gambit than what Booth did for DaRon Holmes II.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
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The scammers could also use your account to scam others out of money with the same verification ruse for passengers and drivers.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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The elaborate ruse was likely an effort to steal cryptocurrency, which Lazarus has become known for.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
19 June 2025
Noun
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In the film, Superman comes under suspicion by the public and the government over his Kryptonian heritage thanks to a scheme by tech billionaire Luthor to push Superman out of the way of his grand plans to expand his criminal enterprise worldwide.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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Two sources told Reuters he was suspected of being involved in a scheme to embezzle millions of dollars earmarked for border defenses.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The universe is playing tricks on you this week, Scorpio, especially in relation to career matters, your public persona or situations involving authority.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
13 July 2025
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Kawasaki has stayed true to its past with stand-up models such as the SX-R 160, and upcoming SX-X 160, which allow riders to do tricks or carve tight turns on these small, powerful craft.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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