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
Example 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
-
Not least because the ruse allows for a Putin or two to die while another survives without toppling the edifice built by the original one.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The defendants never believed the ruse and within hours were sending threatening messages to Rendon, according to prosecutors.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Kern stood accused of numerous scams around the globe involving women, luxury cars.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Men are more often targets of crypto tax scams, according to McAfee.—
Sharon Epperson,Stephanie Dhue,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These are distinctions with meaningful differences: Smartphones are full-on computers in the pocket, tempting kids with nonstop streams of posts and videos and music and so much more, including instant access to AI bots that make cheating that much easier.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2025
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Broner reportedly is said to have cheated a current NBA All-Star out of $1.5 million and a former player out of $5 million in the games.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Kelly’s portrayal contradicts other characterizations of Drue, including those made in prior legal proceedings, which depicted him as the architect of schemes to conceal assets and manipulate the legal system.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Other parts of the U.K.’s immigration system have been criticized as well, including the Seasonal Worker Visa scheme, which NGOs say leaves people open to various forms of exploitation, debt bondage and forced labor.—
Frey Lindsay,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Holmes was convicted on four counts of fraud after lying to Theranos investors about her blood testing technology's reliability and was later sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2022.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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But this would come as the result of a cutback in government spending that is currently categorized by Trump Administration officials as either waste, fraud, or non-essential in nature.—
Sal Gilbertie,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The brand sponsors hustling to join the crew hope the ride is just getting started.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
In 2023, his final year with the Boston Red Sox, manager Alex Cora benched him twice, the first time in June for a failure to hustle on the base paths, and then again in August allegedly for showing up late to the ballpark.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
If not, there will be a new game released tomorrow with another chance to guess the categories, and Newsweek will be back with more tips and tricks to help you along!—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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What Dangerous or Tricky People Might Do Ruda says kids should recognize common tricks that dangerous or tricky person might use to catch them off guard.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
With very little time left in the season, how the Lakers respond to Thursday’s stinging defeat could have a significant impact on their playoff outlook.—
Khobi Price,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2025
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Bruce was badly bruised by experiences at Newcastle and West Brom, the two jobs that preceded Blackpool where personal criticisms stung.—
Philip Buckingham,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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