as in fraud
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
that's just a scam to bilk insurance companies for staged accidents
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scam
Those points include scams linked to crypto ATMs.
—
Talia Kaplan, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Federal investigators have more than 200 open cases probing these scams.
—ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
For example, withdrawing retirement funds due to scams can lead to particularly harsh outcomes.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
And people [in] this country on the populist right and sometimes on the left think, Oh, that old neoliberal order, that was all a scam.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scam
Talia Kaplan, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Federal investigators have more than 200 open cases probing these scams.
—ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
For example, withdrawing retirement funds due to scams can lead to particularly harsh outcomes.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
And people [in] this country on the populist right and sometimes on the left think, Oh, that old neoliberal order, that was all a scam.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scam
Noun
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In June, she was invited to appear before the Federal Trade Commission as a panelist to explain the harms of PGM from a consumer fraud perspective.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
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When he was arrested on theft and fraud charges in 2023, contractor Ricky McGraw was held up as the poster child for Florida’s crumbling insurance market.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As part of the swindle, McCabe promised to transfer the proceeds from the sale of the yacht to the victim, who according to court filings was a widower who had no family support.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
28 Jan. 2026
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While Yusuf was found guilty of six counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle (over $35,000) in August by a jury, the decision was overturned by Judge Sarah West in November, according to KARE.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
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DaLuise’s attorney Jamon Hicks says his team went through about 600 texts on her phone and didn't find any evidence of her being involved in a harassment hoax.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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At first, the ceremony — performed publicly before the entire parish — seems like a hoax.—
Natalia Winkelman,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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My advice to you is not to be surprised to hear from her once the con has come to its conclusion.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
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In short, nature is not neutral, and anthropocentrism is a con.—
Catherine Taft,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Monica Cannon-Grant, 44, pleaded guilty in September 2025 to 18 of 27 counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud and failing to file tax returns related to a scheme in which Cannon-Grant and her late husband, Clark Grant, pocketed thousands of dollars in donations to their nonprofit.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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The lawsuit alleges that pharmacy benefit managers and insulin manufacturers created and participated in a pricing scheme that led to an increase in the price of insulin and increased profits.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scam. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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