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
In September 2025, Cecilie Fjellhøy teamed up with private investigator Brianne Joseph to uncover other romance scams in Netflix's Love Con Revenge.
—
Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Courier Journal: What type of financial scams are typically seen at events such as music festivals?
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Sep. 2025
Any unpleasant government decision—such as the August order blocking voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, on the pretext of preventing scams and terrorist activity—tends to be perceived mostly with passive discontent and immediate adaptation with the search for alternative practical solutions.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025
How to spot a jury duty scam Anyone can fall victim to a juror scam.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scam
Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Courier Journal: What type of financial scams are typically seen at events such as music festivals?
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Sep. 2025
Any unpleasant government decision—such as the August order blocking voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, on the pretext of preventing scams and terrorist activity—tends to be perceived mostly with passive discontent and immediate adaptation with the search for alternative practical solutions.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025
How to spot a jury duty scam Anyone can fall victim to a juror scam.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scam
Noun
-
The Nepalese government, citing concerns over fake accounts, hate speech, disinformation and fraud, said the measures were to ensure accountability and make operators responsible for content on their platforms.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
While the classic grounds for denaturalization include concealment of criminal histories or material lies in the naturalization process, there are growing indications that serious tax fraud may be viewed as evidence that naturalization was procured illegally or fraudulently.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Martini plays Porter Baldwin, a cutthroat East Coast businessman clawing his way back to respectability through a land swindle in the West.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
-
According to a press release from Ellison’s office, a jury found Yusuf guilty of six counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
While these hoaxes mostly ended up being false alarms, experts note that these types of hoaxes are not only a serious crime with substantial penalties for those involved but can also put first responders and bystanders at risk.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The alerts came a day after Charlie Kirk was killed in a campus shooting in Utah — and amid a wave of active shooter hoaxes nationwide.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Those logical advantages for the pros column can outweigh some of those in the cons column, such as the perception of new sources of stress.—
Elizabeth Baskin,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Tatum does stretch his acting abilities in scenes where Jeffrey’s con-man charisma is underlaid with desperation and deception, but there’s nothing in Cianfrance and Kirt Gunn’s screenplay to seriously challenge Tatum’s persona as a leading man.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Roberts and Robinson, who federal prosecutors say conducted the scheme over the course of five years, between 2018 and 2023, allegedly stole $900,000 from the court system.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Just look at the offense — more weapons, better scheme, more support.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scam. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share