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 battle for control of the House is playing out in fewer competitive seats in the aftermath of the Republicans’ redistricting gambit and a Supreme Court decision that overturned a key portion of the Voting Rights Act.
—
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
9 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for gambit
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
9 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
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The ruse was surprisingly straightforward.
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Tsietsi was delighted by the ruse.
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.
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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.
Noun
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Artists and couturiers are fond of the whimsy of trompe l’oeil, the trick of the eye, the illusion of reality.
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Cohesion is the trick, and color does most of the work.
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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