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
No gimmicks, no nonsense, straight shooter, the woman who gets things done.
—
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Her marketing didn’t rely on gimmicks, just consistently excellent music released at the right moments, and an always on strategy.
—Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Taxpayers should not be footing the bill for gimmicks that have nothing to do with health.
—Wolfgang Klietmann, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Republican lawmakers have criticized Newsom’s budget as based in accounting gimmicks, and one that does not address meaningful financial problems as the governor is broadly known to be considering a presidential campaign in 2028.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Her marketing didn’t rely on gimmicks, just consistently excellent music released at the right moments, and an always on strategy.
—Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Taxpayers should not be footing the bill for gimmicks that have nothing to do with health.
—Wolfgang Klietmann, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Republican lawmakers have criticized Newsom’s budget as based in accounting gimmicks, and one that does not address meaningful financial problems as the governor is broadly known to be considering a presidential campaign in 2028.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
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
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
-
Your gadgets contain hazardous chemicals that can contaminate groundwater (not to mention, lithium batteries can start fires).—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
As people who write about food and kitchen gadgets for a living, Bon Appétit editors are constantly surrounded by a wide range of products.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
On these blocks, darkened by the presence of heavily armed federal agents, Minnesotans describe routine movements as calculated risks, unsure which block might erupt into confrontation.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
-
More reliable forecasts of solar activity could help protect satellites, reduce risks to navigation systems, and give power grid operators advance warning of geomagnetic disturbances.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nina Gold and Martin Ware build out a Vatican of schemes with the kind of distinctive faces and depth that Leonardo Da Vinci would put in a painting.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
2 Feb. 2026
-
In practice, tax-the-rich schemes diminish economic vibrancy.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Oc Register,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
But producers, presenters and winners soldiered on with few hitches.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Read on for the ultimate guide for how to stack necklaces, complete with eight tips and tricks to achieve the layered look for yourself.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
Glamour,
3 Feb. 2026
-
They were locked in an aerial arms race, trying to one-up each other with more difficult tricks.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her father’s memories Bass avoided the pitfalls that befell her father.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
-
But the security pitfalls are equally apparent.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In September, a swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland's airspace, prompting NATO aircraft to scramble to intercept them and shoot down some of the devices.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The countries announced a framework for the agreement in November, saying Argentina would ease restrictions on a range of American imports, including cattle, dairy products, medicines, chemicals, machinery, medical devices and vehicles.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gimmicks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmicks. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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