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
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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
-
Is this to maintain the ruse of amateurism to go along with the players’ professed allegiance to and love of this particular university, however temporary?—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Through a clever ruse, the trio manages to escape, but Léo is shot and starts going into labor.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The question, of course, is whether this is all a scam or the real thing.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Feb. 2025
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Tech support scams have been around for years, but a new variant called the Phantom Hacker scam is rapidly gaining traction.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In July 2022, Renay announced her split from NE-YO in a fiery Instagram caption that accused him of cheating.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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Here are four deeper psychological factors behind why some people cheat—even in happy relationships.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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When Tony White left after the regular season for Florida State, Nebraska lost a defensive tactician and a coordinator who brought an effective scheme to the Blackshirts.—
Mitch Sherman,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
-
What’s needed now are more flexible funding schemes and opportunities that will allow Latvian productions to be competitive on the global market.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Sunbeam ultimately filed for bankruptcy and the SEC sued Dunlap and other top executives for engineering a massive accounting fraud.—
Matt Schifrin,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
-
For Schomburg, a tale of greed and disregard for the wider population is actually inspiring given the actions of the people who came together to expose the fraud.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe hustled prominent athletes in pickleball games over Michelob Ultras.—
Carolyn Burt,
Orange County Register,
9 Feb. 2025
-
The Warriors hustled for loose balls and upped the physicality.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And our favorite trick is shopping the Better Homes & Gardens Juliet bedroom furniture line at Walmart.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Feb. 2025
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The trick is finding the place that aligns with your style.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Wheaton’s actions may have stung in particular because Vought has publicly defended the college in the past.—
Emma Green,
The New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Sandler and Farley, while both still incredibly popular with audiences, were eventually fired in 1995 by Michaels, who was stung by the criticism.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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