1
as in cheat
a dishonest person who uses clever means to cheat others out of something of value
a heartless trickster swindled the elderly woman out of her life savings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in magician
one who practices tricks and illusions for entertainment
a very adept trickster who used mirrors to make huge items—even buildings—seem to disappear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trickster
Traditional footwork is a trickster—a genre produced with the purpose of surprising light-footed dancers by introducing new rhythms every few bars.
—
Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2026
Plenty of observers over the years have drawn a link between the Koopas and their king, Mario’s eternal archenemy Bowser, and the reptilian kappa creatures of Japanese mythology, untrustworthy trickster water spirits with a passing resemblance to turtles.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Some are tricksters, and others are teachers.
—Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Loki is no longer a trickster, but a protector.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trickster
Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2026
Plenty of observers over the years have drawn a link between the Koopas and their king, Mario’s eternal archenemy Bowser, and the reptilian kappa creatures of Japanese mythology, untrustworthy trickster water spirits with a passing resemblance to turtles.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Some are tricksters, and others are teachers.
—Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Loki is no longer a trickster, but a protector.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trickster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trickster
Noun
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The cheat gets his comeuppance.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Topbag Travel Duffel Bag Bags like this one are my carry-on-only cheat code for extra storage.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Pearlman, the first magician to headline, hopes the gig serves as an escape from politics.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
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Another had been sliced in two by a monorail, like a magician’s assistant.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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Almost all other passengers dine at the Britannia Restaurant, and there’s also a buffet restaurant serving international cuisine, with options for vegans, vegetarians and dairy dodgers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While the director’s last studio hit, 1999’s Deep Blue Sea, shares shark DNA, the new thriller’s roots are deeply embedded in 1970s disaster movies, not least the truly dreadful Airport ’77.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
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Guest shark Rashaun Williams strapped on his court shoes, wiped them on their mini mat and stomped onto their court.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trickster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trickster. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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