as in cheats
a dishonest person who uses clever means to cheat others out of something of value
Internet scammers who never seem to run out of swindles
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 scammers
In most cases, scammers don't need much to make a call feel real.
—
Mike Winters, CNBC, 9 May 2026
In many cases, scammers reach out but fail to succeed due to timing or suspicion, not because your data stays hidden.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Victims who withdraw money from IRAs or 401(k)s to pay scammers may still owe income tax, and possibly early withdrawal penalties, even though the funds were stolen.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Over the years, scammers in Myanmar, drug cartels in Latin America, including a narco-submarine, and Russian military forces, have all been spotted using Starlink, which has prompted SpaceX to try to clamp down.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
Investigators say the first 24 to 72 hours are especially important because scammers often try to break transactions into smaller transfers or route them through mixers and privacy coins.
—Jon Stojan
may 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
Four scammers have been charged with stealing at least $38,000 from Walmart shoppers in Pennsylvania by allegedly using skimmers placed on self-checkout terminals.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 May 2026
With Gmail attacks ongoing, as well as warnings being issued as Google users are impacted by new security threats, users of Android smartphones are increasingly in the crosshairs of hackers and scammers alike.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Chinese nationals were killed in a shootout at one compound used by scammers on the border with Myanmar, Chinese and Myanmar state media reported.
—Hannah Beech, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Mike Winters, CNBC, 9 May 2026
In many cases, scammers reach out but fail to succeed due to timing or suspicion, not because your data stays hidden.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Victims who withdraw money from IRAs or 401(k)s to pay scammers may still owe income tax, and possibly early withdrawal penalties, even though the funds were stolen.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Over the years, scammers in Myanmar, drug cartels in Latin America, including a narco-submarine, and Russian military forces, have all been spotted using Starlink, which has prompted SpaceX to try to clamp down.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
Investigators say the first 24 to 72 hours are especially important because scammers often try to break transactions into smaller transfers or route them through mixers and privacy coins.
—Jon Stojan
may 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
Four scammers have been charged with stealing at least $38,000 from Walmart shoppers in Pennsylvania by allegedly using skimmers placed on self-checkout terminals.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 May 2026
With Gmail attacks ongoing, as well as warnings being issued as Google users are impacted by new security threats, users of Android smartphones are increasingly in the crosshairs of hackers and scammers alike.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Chinese nationals were killed in a shootout at one compound used by scammers on the border with Myanmar, Chinese and Myanmar state media reported.
—Hannah Beech, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scammers
Noun
-
Migrant welfare cheats exposed!—
The Hill,
The Hill,
5 May 2026
-
Iran lies, cheats, blusters and bullies.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ukraine faces severe personnel shortages with around 200,000 military desertions and 2 million draft-dodgers, threatening its ability to sustain the war against Russia’s 2022 invasion.—
Kirsten Grieshaber,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
But my collection intentionally ignored the fraudulent exploits of billionaire heirs, tax dodgers and corporate magnates — defense contracts, government lobbying, bank accounts in Switzerland, shell companies in Panama, citizenship of Antigua and political asylum in London.—
Snigdha Poonam,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The small fish, also known as remoras, are known for attaching themselves to larger marine animals — including whales and sharks — for protection, free transportation and food.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
In a new study, researchers documented seven cases of remoras, a fish known for suctioning itself onto rays—as well as sharks, dolphins, boats and even divers—plunging into manta rays' cloacal orifice, an opening used for pooping, peeing and mating.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The decade ended tumultuously, with the Osmond family’s fortune drained by a series of swindlers and grifters.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This scam, according to Kent, could be proliferated with the use of AI, which can allow swindlers to enroll in many different college programs at once.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scammers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scammers. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
