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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scam
This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
Elijah was the victim of a sextortion scam, where bad actors target young people online and threaten to release explicit images of them.
—Nicole Valdes, CBS News, 31 May 2025
Such scams exploit investor enthusiasm and poor regulation to inflate prices before insiders sell off their holdings.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
The latest round of scam texts have been reported by departments of motor vehicles in at least three states: New York, Florida and California.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scam
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025
Elijah was the victim of a sextortion scam, where bad actors target young people online and threaten to release explicit images of them.
—Nicole Valdes, CBS News, 31 May 2025
Such scams exploit investor enthusiasm and poor regulation to inflate prices before insiders sell off their holdings.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
The latest round of scam texts have been reported by departments of motor vehicles in at least three states: New York, Florida and California.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scam
Noun
-
The slashing of the benefits of medical care, food and other assistance to low-income families in this bill goes so far beyond even the most exaggerated claim of fraud, waste and abuse as to be cynically and sadistically abusive.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2025
-
Meanwhile, in the UK, SIM swap fraud surged by over 1,000% in 2024.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Five other felony theft by swindle charges were dismissed at sentencing, which was attended by several of the school’s administrators and staff.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
11 June 2025
-
Clark also had to consider how the swindle would affect customers.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
Authorities determined the carjacking was nothing more than a hoax with a goal of quick cash by way of insurance fraud, sheriff officials said.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
-
And how a real video from Gaza led to claims of an AI hoax.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
Full goggles: Night vision goggles mix some of the pros and cons of monoculars and binoculars.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2025
-
Further research is needed to compare the pros and cons of top-dressing tomato plants with coffee grounds.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
At the end of February, a pedestrian was hit in West London by an ebike rider in West London — not a rental or sharing scheme, to be clear — and died after a month in hospital.—
Nicole Kobie,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
This scheme netted Smith over $10 million in royalties before he was caught.—
Tyler Hicks,
Rolling Stone,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scam. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share