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
The magic community doesn't want to do anything that could leave audiences more vulnerable to those kinds of scams or false beliefs, George explains.
—
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Common travel industry scams include everything from fake listings to overcharged meals and have a tendency to be seasonal, increasing in popular summer destinations during warmer periods and in popular winter destinations during colder periods.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026
Insurance scams involving deliberate auto collisions have a long history.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Officials with the Connecticut judicial branch are warning of two separate scams targeting residents across the state.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scam
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Common travel industry scams include everything from fake listings to overcharged meals and have a tendency to be seasonal, increasing in popular summer destinations during warmer periods and in popular winter destinations during colder periods.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026
Insurance scams involving deliberate auto collisions have a long history.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Officials with the Connecticut judicial branch are warning of two separate scams targeting residents across the state.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scam
Noun
-
In Los Angeles County alone, hundreds of hospice providers have been flagged with indicators of fraud, pointing to a level of activity that is far more systemic than isolated incidents.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
He has been charged by the Justice Department with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.—
Hallie Golden,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors charged Said with racketeering and multiple counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle in connection with an alleged scheme that defrauded Minnesota’s Medicaid program of nearly $11 million, according to the criminal complaint.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Said is charged with 10 felony counts, including theft by swindle and racketeering.—
Chloe Rosen,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The acquisition came after Jones was found guilty multiple times of defaming the families of the children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, after repeatedly describing the massacre as a hoax.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Over a recent five-year span, 4% of Amber Alerts nationwide were determined to be hoaxes, where people intentionally misled law enforcement.—
Andrea Lucia,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wouldn’t a con woman rear a child to be a con artist?—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Spying a bureau with drawers that might con-tain manuscripts, Fields asked again.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Depth chart impact Hunter has scheme versatility, but most analysts project him as a nose tackle, where Bobby Brown is the Panthers’ incumbent.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This new court filing is a transparent forum-shopping tactic in their scheme to obtain hundreds of millions of dollars from Michael’s estate and companies.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scam. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
