1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
giving the new guy at work her cell phone number—"in case of an emergency"—was just a flimflam to pique his romantic interest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in scam
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
just the latest Internet flimflam to get e-mail recipients to reveal bank account numbers and other personal information
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
everyone likes to think that they're too smart to be flimflammed by anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of flimflam
Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 5 Feb. 2021
Might that statement actually be a bit of protective flimflam?
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2020
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for flimflam
Noun
Instead, Democrats should present voters with a material choice between a party that has nothing to offer the majority of Americans but abuse and conspiratorial flimflam and a party committed to building a democracy and an economy that work for all.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 5 Feb. 2021
Might that statement actually be a bit of protective flimflam?
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2020
Verb
But liars like Kari Lake, who lost a bid for Arizona governor by parroting former President Trump’s falsehoods and hopes now to flimflam her way to a Senate seat, are only the most visible threat to our system of democracy.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for flimflam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimflam
Noun
-
Vulture Parent Puppet The puppet ruse is designed to prevent the baby from imprinting on humans.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Those ruses have spurred restrictive voting laws across the country, despite the failure over the years of anybody finding fraud happening beyond small and rare instances — and certainly not at the scale of deciding major elections.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Apparently, the Administration doesn't want anyone to be exposed to data that might challenge its narrative that climate change is a scam.—
John Timmer,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2025
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Instead, report the scam immediately and follow our guide to recovering from online scams.—
Kim Key,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Disgruntled attendees, many of them authors, said they felt cheated by event organizers, who failed to deliver on most, if not all fronts.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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In their stories about others, 92% chronicled how misfortune befell cheating partners, indebted friends, bullies and lousy coworkers.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Los Angeles doubled down on a defensive scheme that largely left Gobert unattended in an effort to account for Anthony Edwards.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2025
-
The project looks at the 1980s rise and fall of Joe Hunt and young and wealthy men who made up an exclusive investment group who descended into a fraud scheme that led to murder.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Republicans defend the changes as necessary to prevent fraud in the petition-gathering process, but bill sponsors said that among hundreds of allegations of petition fraud in 2024, there were 18 arrests.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2025
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Both were eventually convicted on various counts of wire and securities fraud, as well as money laundering.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Marchand hustled down the ice to negate a potential icing call.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Late in the first half, with Orlando already on a 10-0 run, White hustled back to stop a four-on-one fast break.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The trick is to find multiple locations that are close enough together and decide on a menu that feels cohesive.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
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The trick will be whether the Bruins are paying for a career year or reliable future performance.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
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That play — not even a full turnover, mind you — is what stings a full year later.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
-
Malone, who gets Mincemeat’s best song, still looks like a favorite in his category, and Mincemeat did get recognition for its score (written by three of its stars, members of the same comedy troupe), but the lack of enthusiasm elsewhere must sting.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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