scams

noun

plural of scam
as in frauds
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value that's just a scam to bilk insurance companies for staged accidents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 scams Officials also recommend watching drinks closely, avoiding food or drinks from strangers and remaining alert to potential online dating scams. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The world of spellwork scams has been documented at length on Reddit, where users report paying anonymous healers for palm readings and magical cleansings. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 The company initially investigated the problem and cracked down on it but later inexplicably reversed course and abandoned its efforts against Chinese scams, Reuters reported. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Off-grid residents blur the line between housed and homeless, as county officials juggle lax enforcement, environmental damage, real estate scams and calls to legalize basic services such as addresses and trash pickup. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 The full blog post breaks down the scam in detail, including how both the video and the website itself show signs of being AI-generated, along with a point-by-point explanation of how these kinds of scams work. — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 In the ad, Hansen reportedly speaks directly to the audience and tells them to visit TruBlu, his streaming service featuring true-crime shows about scams and creeps. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 Here's how student loan scams work, what to do if you're targeted and how to protect yourself as borrowers navigate these changes. — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 The last few weeks of summer are here, and with many people planning last-minute trips before fall officially starts, safety experts are advising travelers to be cautious of common scams. — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scams
  1. frauds
  2. swindles
  3. hoaxes
Noun
  • In 2018, Modi was accused by Indian authorities of orchestrating one of the country’s largest bank frauds in modern history.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for orchestrating what prosecutors have called one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of frauds
Noun
  • In a case pending in federal court in Oakland, California, three Facebook users allege that the company profits from online swindles at the expense of users.
    — David Ingram, NBC news, 12 May 2026
  • Frauds, swindles, cons, scams, and deceptions — collectively known as hoaxes.
    — Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Definition of swindles
Noun
  • While Locke failed in that regard, his articles live on as one of the most famous media hoaxes.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • America’s penny press transformed journalism in the 1830s, using hoaxes, sensationalism, and mass circulation to create a blueprint for modern media.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of hoaxes

Browse Nearby Words

scamps
scams
scamster
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scams. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All