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
Plus: Trump’s Greenland gambit A rare look at Terrence Malick
Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and the collapse of #MeToo
Lorne Michaels.
—
Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Tough spreads are inevitable, but that’s part of what makes the whole gambit exciting.
—Patricia Hernandez, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
Their other top highlight was Benoit getting in a fight, which may have been a crafty gambit to halt play while he was stuck on the ice during a long shift.
—Nick Ashbourne, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
Included in Trump’s China gambit was a decision to close a decades-old trade loophole that had allowed lower-cost items to skirt existing tariffs.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Tough spreads are inevitable, but that’s part of what makes the whole gambit exciting.
—Patricia Hernandez, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
Their other top highlight was Benoit getting in a fight, which may have been a crafty gambit to halt play while he was stuck on the ice during a long shift.
—Nick Ashbourne, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
Included in Trump’s China gambit was a decision to close a decades-old trade loophole that had allowed lower-cost items to skirt existing tariffs.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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