scam

noun

ˈskam How to pronounce scam (audio)
Definition of scamnext
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

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 Doubting job descriptions and scanning for scams Candidates have more trust in job postings when companies share clear salary ranges as well as transparent expectations around workload and hours, a new Monster report found. — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 To date, more than 6,000 scams involving Leal have been found online. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026 Other callers have used Tolstedt's name or claimed to represent the Sheriff's Office to make their scams sound legitimate. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) summer 2026 report, this is a common travel scam. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scam
  1. fraud
  2. swindle
  3. hoax
  4. con
  5. scheme
Noun
  • According to Hon Weng Chong, Cortical Labs founder and CEO, some potential applications include drug discovery, humanoid robotics, cybersecurity and fraud detection.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In March 2025, the EPA terminated roughly $20 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin alleging programmatic fraud and abuse.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of fraud
Noun
  • In a case pending in federal court in Oakland, California, three Facebook users allege that the company profits from online swindles at the expense of users.
    — David Ingram, NBC news, 12 May 2026
  • Supporting characters add to the plot, as Chance needs help from his former crew, most of whom have gone straight but can’t resist the lure of the swindle.
    — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of swindle
Noun
  • Falsehoods circulate claiming that the virus is a hoax, that health workers are profiting from the outbreak, or that hospitals are withholding lifesaving treatments.
    — Prosper Heri Ngorora, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Rumors claim that the virus is a hoax, that health workers are profiting from the outbreak or that hospitals are withholding lifesaving treatments.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of hoax
Noun
  • Stapley’s own fascination with the art of the con began after her mother was conned out of her life savings.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Jonathan Curtiss Sherman Oaks Pros and cons The WNBA has seen a very positive increase the last few years in viewership, ratings and salaries, which is good for them.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of con
Noun
  • Organized crime operations from several cities, including Chicago, New York and Detroit, had established control of casinos up and down the Vegas Strip and devised schemes to skim percentages of the cash under the noses of state regulators.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • With Clark next to him in the 3-4 scheme, Williams flashed his strength and short-area quickness from the defensive interior each day in practice while battling against Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of scheme

Browse Nearby Words

scaly
scam
scammer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scam. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of scam for Spanish Speakers

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