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
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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
As fashion houses such as Victoria Beckham integrate these tools into their core digital infrastructure, the report’s authors said virtual try-ons are quickly transitioning from a novel gimmick into an absolute commercial necessity.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
25 June 2026
My dad was a firefighter, so his whole gimmick was to dress as a clown to teach kids fire safety.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
But Kane’s continuing NFL fandom is not just a gimmick or a ploy to ‘break America’.
—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Some dismissed it as a gimmick.
—
Phil Lodico,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
25 June 2026
My dad was a firefighter, so his whole gimmick was to dress as a clown to teach kids fire safety.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
But Kane’s continuing NFL fandom is not just a gimmick or a ploy to ‘break America’.
—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Some dismissed it as a gimmick.
—
Phil Lodico,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmick
Noun
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At face value, a $10 million rental is an exorbitant fee for a ruse.
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Such offenders will use all different ruses to distract the victim, such as claiming to be utility workers, tree trimmers, or handymen working on neighbors' houses.
Noun
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Streaming boxes, chargers, and smart home gadgets can quietly add to your electricity bill.
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It’s aimed more at campers, drivers, field workers, and anyone who would rather carry one very chunky device than several separate gadgets.
Noun
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Keystone Walkabout 26Max Trailer This hitch-up-and-pull-behind trailer is for those who do everything but sit in camp.
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But once again, the party went without a hitch.
Noun
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The Empire State Building frequently switches up its lighting scheme to commemorate special events throughout the year.
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The other company whose shares were manipulated in the scheme, E-Waste, had an even higher market cap at some point, despite being nothing more than a shell company.
Noun
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The handle of the FieldSpork incorporates two fold-out tools.
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The tools now entering those classrooms are more powerful and far less accountable than anyone writing that legislation could have imagined.
Noun
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Traditional studios might adopt Chinese models for some preproduction tasks such as concepting, but the geopolitical and intellectual property risks for commercial generations are too prohibitive.
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Now in its 18th year, The Zac Foundation has provided free water safety camps to more than 25,000 kids in at-risk communities.
Noun
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The trick is to widen your view deliberately, one angle at a time, because each new angle surfaces buyers the last one missed.
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Now, as heat waves wash over cities from London to Palm Springs, people are embracing this tried-and-true trick with the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad.
Noun
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Forward-thinking manufacturers build native compliance protocols as a workflow, not as an afterthought—a pitfall that many struggle with.
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But Sam and Cecily's immersion into the tech industry comes with its pitfalls.
Cite this Entry
“Gimmick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmick. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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