1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
that free dinner is just a sales gimmick to get you to listen to their sales pitch
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2
as in gadget
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use
a car equipped with a parking spot locator and other neat gimmicks
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized
the deal sounds too good to be true, so make sure there aren't any gimmicks
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gimmick
The movement’s skeptics, particularly supporters of Modi’s party, dismiss it as little more than a social media gimmick.
—
ABC News, 5 June 2026
This category often misses the mark on these important details, making the instant wrinkle remover technology more of a gimmick than an actual useful tool in your skincare arsenal.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 June 2026
But shortly into his speech, the fashion designer ripped up his notecard and revealed the words were a gimmick, before launching into his own take on the importance of authenticity in art and design.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
There’s a moment inside Nick Doyle’s new show at Perrotin when his AI oracle Ava stops feeling like a gimmick and starts sounding uncomfortably familiar.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
ABC News, 5 June 2026
This category often misses the mark on these important details, making the instant wrinkle remover technology more of a gimmick than an actual useful tool in your skincare arsenal.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 June 2026
But shortly into his speech, the fashion designer ripped up his notecard and revealed the words were a gimmick, before launching into his own take on the importance of authenticity in art and design.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
There’s a moment inside Nick Doyle’s new show at Perrotin when his AI oracle Ava stops feeling like a gimmick and starts sounding uncomfortably familiar.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmick
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
-
Best Amazon Prime Day Outlet Home Deals Everything from luxurious bedding to clever cleaning gadgets is marked down in Amazon’s home section today.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
-
Directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, the fifth installment follows Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the gang of anthropomorphic toys as their owner Bonnie becomes addicted to her new favorite gadget, a kiddie smart tablet known as Lilypad.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
But once again, the party went without a hitch.—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
In Houston, some drivers were up to their trailer hitches in lapping waters, while photos from Waco, Texas, showed roadways washed away by the storms.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
15 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
-
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
-
Under them, a chatbot must not be able to interact with someone under 18 unless it is programmed against encouraging self-destructive behavior and provides parents with tools to manage the child’s use.—
Marc Levy,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
Miller-Green previously spent time in the Chicago White Sox organization and attracted national attention because of his remarkable background and rare physical tools.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
The letter warns that those credits are now at risk of expiring, and argues that they should be made refundable or transferable.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
19 June 2026
-
His attorneys said his blood sugar levels were only checked once a month in the jail, putting him at risk of organ failure or even death.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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.—
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
Noun
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Greenstein made the remark at Fortune Brainstorm Tech in Aspen earlier this month as part of a roundtable that examined the benefits and pitfalls of rapid AI adoption across different corporate sectors.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
-
Other Décor Mistakes While designers agree that a catalog-style room is one of the biggest decorating pitfalls, there are a few other details that can have a similar effect.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gimmick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmick. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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