flimflam 1 of 2

noun

ˈflim-ˌflam How to pronounce flimflam (audio)
Definition of flimflamnext
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

flimflam

2 of 2

verb

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

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 flimflam
Noun
Marty Supreme is a movie about a charismatic flimflam man, and so its press tour has been full of flim and also flam. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025 The flimflams continue, even in Walmart’s home state of Arkansas. — Craig Silverman, ProPublica, 17 Jan. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for flimflam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimflam
  1. ruse
  2. scam
  3. cheat
  4. scheme
  5. fraud
  6. hustle
  7. trick
  8. sting
Noun
  • What about when Carole was hiding in the closet to try to overhear Luann calling her a pedophile, and Jules Wainstein kept trying to ruin her ruse?
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Last-ditch plan for prosecution Authorities next developed what Smallwood described as a last-ditch plan to prosecute Tanzer — a ruse that could catch him lying about the rape.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Authorities also obtained assistance from multiple banks and reviewed security camera footage, financial records and body camera footage from previous investigations involving similar scams.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Location information can also make a scam call more convincing.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of scam
Verb
  • For example, if a model figures out a way to cheat to win a game, but the human running the training doesn’t spot the cheating, then the model will learn to cheat.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The move, orchestrated by Everett to satisfy the demands of the company’s top-dollar backers, cheats Michael out of his stock options and equity in the company.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • The court order stems from a finding that Shkreli organized an anti-competitive scheme to perpetuate his company Vyera Pharmaceuticals’ monopoly in the anti-parasitic drug Daraprim.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Similar Excel spreadsheets are used to organize schemes where Indian scammers in Delhi or Kolkata impersonate Microsoft tech support, the Internal Revenue Service or even the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
    — Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • That changed after the 2020 presidential election, when secretaries of state in places such as Arizona, Georgia and Michigan were thrust into battles over election results, certification and false claims of widespread fraud.
    — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
  • As Vanity Fair reported at the time, the article led to an all-hands meeting at The Times where some staffers questioned the choice to run a soft profile on a woman who had been convicted of fraud and was about to head to prison.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • The last thing the Bears need is for Williams to hustle back only to reinjure himself and miss more time.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That urgency has marked Holden’s prolific output—especially the thrilling first installment of his Supreme Magnetic series in 2025 and 2022’s Joe Frog—as the Harlem rapper uses his street-hustling past to paint an autobiographical portrait.
    — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of hustle
Noun
  • Is there a celebrity chain where people share tips and tricks?
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Fox Nation is pulling a new trick, using artificial intelligence to bring legendary illusionist Harry Houdini back from the dead.
    — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Clement famously tried to get the Supreme Court to overturn President Obama's signature health care law, a loss that still stings.
    — Carrie Johnson, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sting

Browse Nearby Words

flighty
flimflam
flimflammed
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Cite this Entry

“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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