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
Examples 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
-
Just a few weeks ago former contestant Rhea Mathew returned to the stage under the ruse of helping celebrate the show's 50th anniversary, only to be surprised by her boyfriend with a proposal.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Litton, using the name Michael Sanders, had scheduled an appointment with Feather River Adventist School principal under the ruse of enrolling his nonexistent grandson.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
According to a recent study, pickpocket scams are more prevalent in Europe, particularly in Italy, which ranked highest for pickpockets among the continent's other top destinations.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Jan. 2025
-
This felt more like a double-blind scam with Doogie Howser pulling the strings.—
John Romano,
Orlando Sentinel,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a scene where the duo is trying to get their rent money back from Alyssa’s conniving and cheating boyfriend, which perfectly encapsulates the blend of wit and physical comedy that makes the film so memorable.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2025
-
West Virginia was also willing to cheat off of Keshon Gilbert.—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Seattle seemingly swapped Taylor for Gipson thinking the latter could be more productive in Macdonald’s scheme, but that never came to fruition.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Kya Christian Nelson, 23, and others involved in what prosecutors described as a nationwide scheme, took over homeowners’ Ring security cameras and made fake emergency calls in November 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacramento Bee,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Previous installments examined fraud in local governments, police vetting requirements and the water crisis in Kansas.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Americans encounter about $56 billion in fraud each year, the NSC said.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
With a zero-to-60 time below 4 seconds, a quarter-mile time around 12 seconds, and a 155 mph top speed, the coupe clearly hustles.—
Karl Brauer,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
-
In this raucous odyssey a wanton minx quests hard across a dreamy landscape of smut, filth and psychics, hustling to lift a curse that has been f*cking her sh*t up.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Magness recommended a trick backed by psychology: Use second- and third-person pronouns when talking to yourself, instead of first-person pronouns.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
17 Jan. 2025
-
When working with one or a few rats, snacks like nuts, seeds, and fruit often do the trick.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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One day later Miami would kick off its plans for 2025 right by landing former Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck in the transfer portal (more on that in a bit), but, still, this Orange Bowl had to sting Cristobal over all that might have been.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2025
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That loss hurt, of course, and losing the Super Bowl this time around would sting, too.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near flimflam
Cite this Entry
“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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