as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
I couldn't tell whether her earlier poor-mouthing had been sincere or just a gambit to get me to pick up the dinner check
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gambit
But the satirical edge which might’ve pulled off that gambit is absent throughout, making for a whole that’s peculiar without ever being very engaging.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
But five years after that first conversation during an Indigenous health research conference in March 2019, Dr. Castel’s gambit is beginning to pay off for both parties.
—Brendan Borrell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
So how does a defendant or a prisoner ask the American chief executive for help?
Having a relationship with the incumbent president or a close friend is one gambit.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
Rhee’s team is even more on the hot seat than predecessors as Yoon’s gambit goes awry and drags South Korea’s economy down with it.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gambit 
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
But five years after that first conversation during an Indigenous health research conference in March 2019, Dr. Castel’s gambit is beginning to pay off for both parties.
—Brendan Borrell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
So how does a defendant or a prisoner ask the American chief executive for help?
Having a relationship with the incumbent president or a close friend is one gambit.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
Rhee’s team is even more on the hot seat than predecessors as Yoon’s gambit goes awry and drags South Korea’s economy down with it.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
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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
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Taking control of the Panama Canal was the most popular of Trump’s schemes to expand the U.S., with 46% in favor and 47% in opposition.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
24 Jan. 2025
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In a moment of delusion, Simon cooks up a scheme to get Wei-Tung married and secure their friend Wei-Wei a green card.—
Sadie Collins,
Them,
24 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
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When working with one or a few rats, snacks like nuts, seeds, and fruit often do the trick.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near gambit
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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