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
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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
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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
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His repetitive claim of being open and transparent is a ruse.Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
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Still, even if his insanity plea is a ruse or even a supremely deadpan joke, this CIA isn't going to make its way onto anyone's list of best companies to work for.Tom Gliatto, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Life advice Olivier Morin/AFP via Getty Images Fraudsters are improving their scams with the help of artificial intelligence.Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
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Some scams are done via hardware, while others can be done online.Marley Malenfant, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Congressman/Senator/President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a monstrous piece of work who cheated his way to power from his teens on.The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 20 Dec. 2024
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After all, the man lost to Georgia State while cheating.Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Additionally, texts and calls from other people who interacted with the Salt Typhoon targets were inherently also caught up in the espionage scheme.Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2024
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The highest penalty provided by the scheme would be $1,000 for going 40 or more mph over the speed limit in a work zone with workers present.Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Trump’s lawsuit, which was filed in Iowa state court in Polk County, accuses the outlet and pollster of violating Iowa’s consumer fraud laws by engaging in deception.Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
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Softbank also blew a billion dollars on Wirecard, the German payments company at the center of an international fraud investigation, shortly before the firm unraveled.David Goldman, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On a special episode (first released on November 28, 2024) of The Excerpt podcast: Americans hustle.Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
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As the clock ticked on with under 30 seconds remaining, Williams hustled to get the offense set before throwing a pass as time expired which fell incomplete to Rome Odunze meaning the game was over and the Bears lost.Ben Morse, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The gods prove cruel but not omnipotent, and the modern settings exert their own redemptive pull; the final effect is that of a magic trick, in which the characters manage, in each film’s miraculous closing moments, to slip the bonds of tragedy.Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024
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As for the pineapple addition to the drink, eating the fruit is another common, nonmedical trick that people suggest for getting labor started (some people also swear by it when trying to conceive).Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Unfortunately, Ronnie’s rough morning gets worse when she’s stung by a jellyfish.Emma Soren, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
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Matthew Boyd will be joining the team that defeated the Cleveland Indians in the 2016 World Series, a fact that still stings with fans of Cleveland baseball.Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near flimflam
Cite this Entry
“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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