Thesaurus results for SCAM

scam

noun

ˈskam

Definition of scam

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 Macklemore and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft went back and forth over Israel and Mideast aid, and a romance scam cost one woman nearly $1 million in last week's News Quiz. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 In 2025, according to the FBI, victims lost more than $333 million in crypto ATM scams, with 85% of the victims being seniors. — Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026 The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides a guide on how to avoid donation scams. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2026 The report says the scam involved several financial transactions. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scam

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scam

Noun

Holmes and her partner Billy Evans invited Fielder, Oppenheim and a small camera crew into their San Diego home 34 days before Holmes began her Theranos fraud prison sentence.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Frankel also faces investment adviser fraud and false-statement counts over SEC filings that allegedly concealed his conviction and a Finra suspension.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 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

The rapid spread of Ebola has been aided from the onset by widespread skepticism among locals who have dismissed the disease as a hoax, even attacking health workers and health facilities on multiple occasions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
Trump compared the apparent risks of AI to climate change and falsely claimed that the latter has been a hoax that hasn’t lived up to warnings of its dangers.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of hoax

Noun

The 7-foot-2 center is the type of rim-protecting force that can unlock a new scheme and elevate his teammates as the Lakers compete in a top-heavy Western Conference.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
That support included participating in the scheme; fundraising, mostly from recipients of pandemic-era government loans; arranging travel to Haiti and lodging for Sanon, Intriago and Solages and two dozen Colombian commandos.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of scheme

Browse Nearby Words

scaly

scam

scammer

See all Nearby Words

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“Scam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scam. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scam

noun

Example Sentences

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