as in Ponzi scheme
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Recent Examples of pyramid scheme
After regulators investigated the business for allegedly being a pyramid scheme, Raniere didn't admit wrongdoing but settled for $40,000.
—
Jessica Sager, People.com, 19 June 2025
So, like all pyramid schemes, the only people who make money are the people who come in early.
—Dwyer Murphy
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
Such enterprises invite non-salaried workers to sell goods and then also earn commissions by recruiting more salespeople; the Federal Trade Commission has over the years outlined subtle legal differences between MLMs and pyramid schemes.
—Lora Kelley, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025
Among them, pyramid schemes, membership fee fakes, credit repair cons, dubious health offers, fictitious diploma schools and illegitimate gaming services.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pyramid scheme
Jessica Sager, People.com, 19 June 2025
So, like all pyramid schemes, the only people who make money are the people who come in early.
—Dwyer Murphy
june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
Such enterprises invite non-salaried workers to sell goods and then also earn commissions by recruiting more salespeople; the Federal Trade Commission has over the years outlined subtle legal differences between MLMs and pyramid schemes.
—Lora Kelley, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025
Among them, pyramid schemes, membership fee fakes, credit repair cons, dubious health offers, fictitious diploma schools and illegitimate gaming services.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pyramid scheme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pyramid scheme
Noun
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Between 2023 and 2025, Carrasco-Ramirez is accused of persuading seven people to invest in a Ponzi scheme, deputies said.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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Total losses by Marshall’s investors fall short of the multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme masterminded by Bernie Madoff.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Without clear policy guardrails, independent verification, and ethical use, carbon capture risks becoming a shell game, boosting ESG optics while emissions continue unchecked.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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This is a shell game — follow the ball as the three cups rotate.—
Alexander Ooms,
Denver Post,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pyramid scheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pyramid%20scheme. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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