Thesaurus results for SHELL GAME

shell game

noun

as in scam

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

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 shell game Despite the political shell games being played by liberal Democrats, the media and even some Republicans, much of President Trump’s policy agenda has broad public support and is largely on track to succeed if enacted. —

Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 This is a shell game — follow the ball as the three cups rotate. —

Alexander Ooms, Denver Post, 27 May 2025 Trump plays 'shell game' with immigration cases: expert Steven Vladeck, a law professor at Georgetown University, noted that in a bevy of recent court rulings, the Trump administration tried to slow down or defeat immigration cases by moving detainees. —

Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025 The Trump Administration is playing a shell game with who is considered lawful in the United States. —

Karen Tumlin, Time, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shell game

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell game

scam

Noun

Kurt's key takeaways This scam did not rely on sloppy emails or obvious mistakes.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Is First American Home Warranty a scam?

— Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026