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
Republican lawmakers pointed quickly to the report as backing their contention that Newsom and lawmakers have been balancing the budget using accounting gimmicks.
—
Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
The deficits were papered over with a series of short-term fixes, including loans and accounting gimmicks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Some of the Heart Attack Grill's most provocative gimmicks included public spankings for customers who failed to finish their meals, plus free food for patrons weighing more than 350 pounds.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
His current projects may have a futuristic flavour, but Fotiadis is emphatically against styling gimmicks in superyacht design.
—Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
That focus on results — rather than gimmicks — is a big reason travelers are willing to fly halfway around the world for a facial.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
In a crowded reusable-bottle market the Maxi doesn’t try to stand apart through visual excess or technical gimmicks.
—New Atlas, 12 May 2026
The three resorts enjoyed expansion and growth throughout the 2010s by utilizing low prices, gimmicks and attractions to lure guests.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
By contrast, the Republican plan relies on one-off gimmicks and volatile funding schemes that don’t last.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
The deficits were papered over with a series of short-term fixes, including loans and accounting gimmicks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Some of the Heart Attack Grill's most provocative gimmicks included public spankings for customers who failed to finish their meals, plus free food for patrons weighing more than 350 pounds.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
His current projects may have a futuristic flavour, but Fotiadis is emphatically against styling gimmicks in superyacht design.
—Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
That focus on results — rather than gimmicks — is a big reason travelers are willing to fly halfway around the world for a facial.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
In a crowded reusable-bottle market the Maxi doesn’t try to stand apart through visual excess or technical gimmicks.
—New Atlas, 12 May 2026
The three resorts enjoyed expansion and growth throughout the 2010s by utilizing low prices, gimmicks and attractions to lure guests.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
By contrast, the Republican plan relies on one-off gimmicks and volatile funding schemes that don’t last.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmicks
Noun
-
They are accused of using several ruses to force their way into people’s homes, assaulting unsuspecting residents and holding them hostage for their own money, and demanding access to their crypto accounts.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
Kids will quickly see through her ruses.—
Elise Broach,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new pitter, a Lamborghini of kitchen gadgets, works on 6 cherries at a time, pushing out the pits and leaving the cherries in pristine condition.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
1 June 2026
-
But while Batman tends to save lives with a plethora of gadgets and advanced combat techniques, the actor playing him wound up needing nothing more than the good old-fashioned Heimlich maneuver.—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
These major crimes generally affect residents, according to experts, but that doesn’t mean visitors won’t face risks.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Shakespeare’s comedies especially understand the joy of watching people get trapped in schemes and plots well beyond their control.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
State regulators have suspended hundreds of hospice licenses amid allegations of fraudulent billing and phantom patient schemes.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The incidents involving contact with chains, trailer hitches, poles, and curbs indicate recurring limitations in detecting smaller or irregular obstacles, especially during reversing maneuvers.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
All three of these Yakima racks use trailer hitches for mounting, rather than suction, roof racks, or your rear door.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
In the middle, a Cartman in the role of a Midtown tax adviser dispenses accounting tips and tricks, culled from a YouTube account run by a real-life New York CPA.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
That makes many older attack tricks harder to pull off.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The Bruins’ success in the batter’s box also has helped raise the tide of a team that could’ve fallen into many pitfalls.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
The patient who is using this must understand the limitations and pitfalls of these platforms.—
Hansa Bhargava,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The sources described it as a preliminary operation laying the groundwork for additional steps by installing listening devices and intelligence equipment in the area.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
That treatment gap is reviving interest in experimental blood-filtering devices that can physically remove viral particles from the bloodstream.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gimmicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmicks. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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