as in scam
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
the explanation was so plausible that I never suspected it was all a con to make off with my car
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1
as in to study
to commit to memory
usually candidates con their entire campaign speech, right down to the jokes they supposedly ad-lib
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to scan
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)
seemed to be conning his face for any sign of uncertainty
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
a fly-by-night operator who had conned hundreds of would-be homeowners out of their hard-earned money
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2
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
tried to con me into thinking that he had actually won the lottery
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of con
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
One final con of consuming raw potatoes: Since spuds are grown in the ground, they will be covered with dirt, grime, and potentially, bacteria.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024
She was convicted in 2019 of conning $275,000 out of banks, hotels and people to finance her lavish lifestyle, the Associated Press reported.
—Bryan Alexander, The Courier-Journal, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for con 
Noun
The third film about the sociopathic clown largely repeats the pros and cons of the last movie — killer makeup effects and a great performance buried in a repetitive flick with a story that’s impossible to care about — but that’s more than enough for fans of this increasingly popular franchise.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
One final con of consuming raw potatoes: Since spuds are grown in the ground, they will be covered with dirt, grime, and potentially, bacteria.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
Suits follows the ins-and-outs of a prestigious Manhattan law firm through the budding mentor-mentee relationship of big-shot attorney Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and young upstart Mike Ross (Adams), who cons his way in with his photographic memory and sheer audacity.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024
She was convicted in 2019 of conning $275,000 out of banks, hotels and people to finance her lavish lifestyle, the Associated Press reported.
—Bryan Alexander, The Courier-Journal, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for con
Thesaurus Entries Near con
Cite this Entry
“Con.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/con. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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