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 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
To commemorate the spirit of this history, Nugget is doing monthly giveaways, harkening back to these gimmicks.
—
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The need for all these gimmicks is something that Margo didn’t initially realize.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
And the camera angles are almost always great without gimmicks or bad cutaways.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Of all the major sports, baseball boasts the one All-Star Game that has largely resisted gimmicks, but then again last year’s game ended with a home run derby.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Garcia doesn’t use gimmicks to get the dog’s attention.
—Mindy Schauer, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
Some critics dismissed Nolan’s clever narrative structure and final twist as mere gimmicks.
—ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
No maritime theming or kitschy gimmicks, just serene, sophisticated spaces for gathering.
—Katie Riley, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2026
There’s no gimmicks or bells and whistles to this story.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The need for all these gimmicks is something that Margo didn’t initially realize.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
And the camera angles are almost always great without gimmicks or bad cutaways.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Of all the major sports, baseball boasts the one All-Star Game that has largely resisted gimmicks, but then again last year’s game ended with a home run derby.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Garcia doesn’t use gimmicks to get the dog’s attention.
—Mindy Schauer, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
Some critics dismissed Nolan’s clever narrative structure and final twist as mere gimmicks.
—ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
No maritime theming or kitschy gimmicks, just serene, sophisticated spaces for gathering.
—Katie Riley, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2026
There’s no gimmicks or bells and whistles to this story.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
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
-
An underfloor heating system will keep campers warm through all seasons in conjunction with a robust insulation package, and an off-grid power system promises to keep systems and gadgets running smoothly with or without camp hookups.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Those who have organized kitchens prioritize function over an excess of kitchen tools, serveware, and gadgets.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But if the risks were vast, so were the potential rewards.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the risks of a blockade, analysts have touted it as an option that would avoid putting boots on the ground.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Madigan, meanwhile, was convicted in a separate trial of an array of schemes that included the ComEd bribery payments.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Butterfly Jam revolves around a teenager growing up in New Jersey’s Circassian community, with dreams of becoming a wrestler, whose life takes an unexpected turn when one of his father’s misguided schemes goes wrong.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But her journey hasn’t been without a few hitches.—
Aaron Tolentino,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The draft horse shows this week during the stock show’s 120th anniversary will include 15 six-horse hitches, or six horses pulling a wagon.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Payment processors grew suspicious despite Cotter’s tricks, and by 2020 the US Postal Inspection Service had launched an investigation.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The mother-daughter duo coordinated in shades of cream and brown, with Charlotte even borrowing some of her mom's styling tricks (both wore the British brand Self-Portrait, for example).—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While tech-literate consumers might navigate the pitfalls successfully, more vulnerable groups—such as the elderly or those less comfortable with technology—are left wide open to errors and exploitation.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Still, there are potential pitfalls that could stand in the way of the radical changes many Hungarians had hoped for.—
Justin Spike,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors say the pair threw two devices containing the explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs failed to detonate.—
Erica Byfield,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This nifty little Anker portable power bank can juice up small devices (think AirPods, iPads, and phones) in a pinch.—
Abbey Hudetz,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gimmicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmicks. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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