as in scams
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
it's amazing how intelligent people fall for that investment-fund shell game
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Recent Examples of shell games
Budget shell games, in other words.
—
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell games
scams
Noun
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This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Widespread backsliding on protections of basic rights is taking a toll on Asian economies as growing inequality leaves poor people vulnerable to labor abuses and scams, a report by Human Rights Watch says.—
Elaine Kurtenbach,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shell games.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell%20games. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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