Thesaurus results for GAMBITS

gambits

noun

plural of gambit

as in ruses

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end I couldn't tell whether her earlier poor-mouthing had been sincere or just a gambit to get me to pick up the dinner check

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 gambits In the intervening decades, various redevelopment gambits have fizzled. — Jack Brook, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 The attorney general — appointed to his position last year by DeSantis after engineering some of the governor’s biggest political gambits while serving as his chief of staff — will be on the ballot this November for the first time. — Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 Some of Nolan’s aesthetic gambits are successful, including the diversity of its cast, his commitment to practical effects and on-location shooting, and the decision to have everyone sport an American accent. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 July 2026 This perspective suggests that structural partisan advantage and voter registration patterns were decisive factors, countering narratives that place determinative weight on late-campaign tactical gambits. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026 The Texas and California gambits were the first moves in an elaborate game of gerrymandering chess between the White House and Jeffries. — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 Everything in the movie, from the chomping shark attacks that churn up the waves with Hawaiian Punch foam to the way a humongous great white meets her fate at the end, takes an obvious page from Steven Spielberg’s gambits and techniques. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026 But what if all these works were more than just conceptual gambits? — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026 But there is good reason to think that this time, his gambits may fail. — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambits

Noun

There’s a delightful secret history of Hollywood directors whose ruses and stratagems bought them an unusual amount of leeway with their scripts.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
Even before pro-party AI ruses were possible, the Chinese government and its supporters flooded social media with pro-China propaganda and vicious attacks on critics.

— Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of ruses

Noun

Something common to the plans and schemes of crypto-anarchists is a certain Rube Goldberg fussiness.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
His speed can be an asset in run and pass schemes, with Rowe displaying the cutting ability to turn a five-yard grab into a 20-yard gain and the catch radius and high-point ability to make contested catches down the field.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of schemes

Noun

Instead, Cramer pointed to Cook's ability to sustain the iPhone's appeal and keep consumers coming back through successive generations of premium devices.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Infecting already compromised devices Research published Monday brings the threat into much clearer view.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of devices

Noun

Some of his bar inventions, for instance, were less grand thematic ideas and simply tricks to keep patrons indoors and ordering.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Treister had a smart sense of humor, often performing magic tricks for anyone who would come over to his home, his family said.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of tricks

Browse Nearby Words

gambit

gambits

gamble

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gambits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambits. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gambits

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

recalcitrant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes