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
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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 risks
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
These are cosmetic gimmicks, however.
—
Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Instead of chasing gimmicks or exaggerated specifications, its design focuses on adaptability, control, and long-term reliability.
—New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2026
Still, most of the promotional material around the movie sidelined the ever-dour Alex Garland and his real-life veteran co-writer, Ray Mendoza, in favor of gimmicks like Michael Gandolfini introducing his co-stars.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
The drinks nod to the theme without becoming gimmicks, with touches like a cotton-candy Negroni that feels more clever than kitschy.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2025
Cultivate Passion Purposefully Fan animation grows through storytelling, traditions, values and community—not gimmicks.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Even without gimmicks, shooting never feels like an afterthought, with tense firefights punctuating methodical exploration.
—PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025
No more budget gimmicks to create the illusion of a balanced budget.
—Kelly Seyarto, Oc Register, 29 Nov. 2025
Of course, not all gear is created equal; gimmicks abound.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 20 Nov. 2025
Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Instead of chasing gimmicks or exaggerated specifications, its design focuses on adaptability, control, and long-term reliability.
—New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2026
Still, most of the promotional material around the movie sidelined the ever-dour Alex Garland and his real-life veteran co-writer, Ray Mendoza, in favor of gimmicks like Michael Gandolfini introducing his co-stars.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
The drinks nod to the theme without becoming gimmicks, with touches like a cotton-candy Negroni that feels more clever than kitschy.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2025
Cultivate Passion Purposefully Fan animation grows through storytelling, traditions, values and community—not gimmicks.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Even without gimmicks, shooting never feels like an afterthought, with tense firefights punctuating methodical exploration.
—PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025
No more budget gimmicks to create the illusion of a balanced budget.
—Kelly Seyarto, Oc Register, 29 Nov. 2025
Of course, not all gear is created equal; gimmicks abound.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 20 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmicks
Noun
-
The New York Colored American reported that some offers of short-term work for Black men — moving livestock to or from Kentucky, for example — were ruses that ended with kidnappings.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Many suspect a spam call and don't pick up the phone, leading foundation staff to sometimes devise ruses.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The little shop’s name comes from the quartermaster character, Q, who provides the gadgets and, more to the point, Aston Martin cars for James Bond in the famous movies.—
Peter Valdes-Dapena,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Users can also manage their smart home gadgets within the Alexa+ chat window, the company said.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Proper humidifier placement protects your home and health by preventing mold, moisture damage, and safety risks.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The risks inherent in the LBO structure are exacerbated by the amount of debt PSKY must incur, its current financial position and future prospects, as well as the lengthy period to close the transaction – which PSKY itself estimates to be 12-18 months following signing.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
More than 90 people, most with ties to the state’s Somali community, have been charged in fraud schemes targeting social services.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Many have had the wheels or hitches removed years ago.—
Cassie Powell,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
There is no one organizational system that fits every family and lifestyle, but there are some tips and tricks that help.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
-
So what are their go-to tricks for creating a space worth hibernating in?—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Travel experts explain how to earn more points, avoid common pitfalls, and get top-tier value from your miles.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Anecdotally, though, consumers have said prediction markets present similar pitfalls as traditional sportsbooks.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Samsung says the sensor targets users who want professional-grade imaging from mobile devices.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Speaking to gadgets is often faster than typing, but Amazon and Nirva also see their devices as another means to gather data that can provide insights about a user’s life, though doing so will surely raise privacy concerns.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gimmicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmicks. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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