1
as in ruses
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in gadgets
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 hitches
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gimmicks
The show, known for its Emmy Award winning costumes, was quick to help conceal Coon’s pregnancy without stooping to TV gimmicks.
—
Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
The band needs some marketing gimmicks for their upcoming show.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The Side Hustle Bottom Line The best side hustles in 2025 aren’t gimmicks or get-rich-quick schemes.
—Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Royel Otis doesn’t do flashy gimmicks, make bold, brash statements or lay down anything that could be confused with cheese or syrup.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2025
The current budget, enacted in June, had a $20 billion deficit that was closed by tapping into the state’s emergency reserves, borrowing from special funds, postponing some payments and adopting some bookkeeping gimmicks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
For context, California’s total general-fund budget receipts are around $208 billion and the state recently struggled to shave $20 billion (mostly through gimmicks) from its spending.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 17 Aug. 2025
Johnson should not rely on budgetary gimmicks to balance the budget.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
These numbers are not smoke and mirrors or budgeting gimmicks.
—Patrick A. McLaughlin, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
The band needs some marketing gimmicks for their upcoming show.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The Side Hustle Bottom Line The best side hustles in 2025 aren’t gimmicks or get-rich-quick schemes.
—Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Royel Otis doesn’t do flashy gimmicks, make bold, brash statements or lay down anything that could be confused with cheese or syrup.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2025
The current budget, enacted in June, had a $20 billion deficit that was closed by tapping into the state’s emergency reserves, borrowing from special funds, postponing some payments and adopting some bookkeeping gimmicks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
For context, California’s total general-fund budget receipts are around $208 billion and the state recently struggled to shave $20 billion (mostly through gimmicks) from its spending.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 17 Aug. 2025
Johnson should not rely on budgetary gimmicks to balance the budget.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
These numbers are not smoke and mirrors or budgeting gimmicks.
—Patrick A. McLaughlin, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmicks
Noun
-
Episode 4 finds both Ellen and Julia throwing themselves headlong into plans that require them to keep up major ruses.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Other gadgets are all about efficiency.—
Melanie Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The iPhone 17 is expected to be unveiled at the event, along with other new gadgets and features.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The two-door, three-person Can-Am Defender Limited and the four-door, six-person Defender Max Limited have 82-horsepower engines, power steering, tow hitches with a 2,500-pound towing capacity, winches, air conditioning and heating, a full hard roof and a three-position tilt-up glass windshield.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
-
My connection often improved a few minutes later, but those drops could result in stuttering in games, hitches in streaming, and slow file downloads.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The lack of action or will to curb this has led some researchers to seriously propose planetary-scale geoengineering schemes.—
Alec Luhn,
Scientific American,
11 Sep. 2025
-
But his greedy schemes and her desire to keep her dog immortal led to the downfall of her once-thriving business and turned her into a woman on the run.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Companies see the benefits but also understand the real risks of breaching customer trust, which can include severe reputational and business damage.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The material also strongly repelled chloride ions, cutting corrosion risks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
New downloads of Weather are no longer possible on Wear OS 6 devices from third-party manufacturers, such as Samsung, OnePlus and others.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Why Healthcare Needs a Data Overhaul Healthcare systems are generating more data than ever before, from electronic health records and lab results to imaging scans, insurance claims, and even patient updates from wearable devices.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still, they’re exposed to financial pitfalls, primarily due to insufficient accounting support.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Minkoff is refreshingly candid about the pitfalls of the startup playbook.—
Karin Eldor,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Dillon took a beat to think about what works for him before sharing his tips and tricks to remaining youthful.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Weaver shares his go-to honey tips, tricks and cocktail recipes.—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gimmicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmicks. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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