1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
that free dinner is just a sales gimmick to get you to listen to their sales pitch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in gadget
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use
a car equipped with a parking spot locator and other neat gimmicks
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized
the deal sounds too good to be true, so make sure there aren't any gimmicks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gimmick
Declining to tax tips or overtime or Social Security benefits, compared with reforms of the type that Trump presided over in 2017, are little more than gimmicks.
—
The Editors, National Review, 1 Apr. 2025
Vince McMahon has devised various gimmicks and names for wrestlers while running WWE over the last several decades.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Simply put, aside from the desire for some novel gimmick, there was no clear rationale for SpaceX’s mission planners or Fram2’s leader, cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, to have chosen a polar orbit in the first place.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2025
It’s become a huge, surprise hit in 2025, one that no one saw coming, and one that easily could have gone wrong in a world of forgettable medical dramas and with a 24-like gimmick that may not have landed.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
The Editors, National Review, 1 Apr. 2025
Vince McMahon has devised various gimmicks and names for wrestlers while running WWE over the last several decades.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Simply put, aside from the desire for some novel gimmick, there was no clear rationale for SpaceX’s mission planners or Fram2’s leader, cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, to have chosen a polar orbit in the first place.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2025
It’s become a huge, surprise hit in 2025, one that no one saw coming, and one that easily could have gone wrong in a world of forgettable medical dramas and with a 24-like gimmick that may not have landed.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmick
Noun
-
Richie buys Harry's ruse regarding Tommy's murder, but there's a catch.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The wedding started as an elaborate three-way ruse concocted by Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese American man; his white boyfriend, Simon (Mitchell Lichtenstein); and Wei-Wei, an undocumented Chinese immigrant.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign goods – specifically those sourced from China – are expected to heighten the prices of everyday tech products, from iPhones to laptops, cars and even smaller gadgets like headphones and computer mice.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The matchbox-sized gadget houses a bunch of sensors to measure changes in temperature, and the aforementioned gases by collecting them in a small chamber that doesn't come in contact with your skin.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The night’s crossing of the Athina went off without a hitch, and Captain Hallax arrived home the next morning.—
Silvana Paternostro Nathalia Angarita,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Despite these concerns, the plan went off without a hitch.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Nearly 30 years ago California legislators faced a test of their integrity in voting for an electricity deregulation scheme that ratepayers are still paying for.—
Jamie Court,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Minnesota Vikings Needs: RB, D-line, CB, S Ole Miss CB Trey Amos: Amos has good instincts around the ball and the press coverage skills needed to fit Brian Flores’ defensive scheme, which places cornerbacks on an island most of the time. 25.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The website offers screening and assessment tools, informational articles, self-help guides and a guide to providers in Kane County.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Clinics, meanwhile, grapple with strict 340B compliance requirements—often without adequate staff or tools to manage efficiently.—
Craig Lebrau,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The country could be at risk of losing its elimination status if an outbreak continued for more than one year.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Key challenges, like the risk of exacerbating inequality if access is limited to the rich and the significant energy demands, will need to be addressed.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.—
The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
-
But back to the task at hand: One trick to schooling yourself while keeping things fun is taking a tour — or a few of them.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
To avoid these pitfalls, companies need to treat office redesign as a change management project—not just a facilities project.—
Ryan Anderson,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The pandemic exposed the pitfalls of American reliance on Chinese factories for an array of goods, from parts for ventilators to basic medicines.—
Peter S. Goodman,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gimmick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmick. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share