con 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈkän How to pronounce con (audio)
Definition of connext
as in prisoner
a person convicted as a criminal and serving a prison sentence a program to help ex-cons find employment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

con

2 of 4

noun (2)

as in scam
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value the explanation was so plausible that I never suspected it was all a con to make off with my car

Synonyms & Similar Words

con

3 of 4

verb (1)

1
as in to study
to commit to memory usually candidates con their entire campaign speech, right down to the jokes they supposedly ad-lib

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to scan
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition) seemed to be conning his face for any sign of uncertainty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

con

4 of 4

verb (2)

1
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats a fly-by-night operator who had conned hundreds of would-be homeowners out of their hard-earned money

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue tried to con me into thinking that he had actually won the lottery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 con
Noun
While those examples seem to be politically motivated, a lot of it is just con-artistry. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026 Cramer detailed the pros and cons under the famous golden arches. — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
The year is 1975, the place is Vassar College, and Tony is attempting to con his way into a fellowship in order to pen a novel. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 When Stapley was 10, her mother lost her life’s savings after being conned by a couple posing as investors. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for con
Recent Examples of Synonyms for con
  1. prisoner
  2. scam
  3. study
  4. scan
  5. cheat
  6. trick
  7. convict
  8. learn
Noun
  • In a guest-starring role, Johnson will play Dee, a patient who is a tough prisoner with an even tougher dilemma.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In July, Florida became the first state in nearly a decade to execute two prisoners in one day.
    — David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of prisoner
Noun
  • Any outreach requesting an application fee or payment to be considered for the list is a scam.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • According to Harris' office, Harris and Steckloff worked together on the bipartisan legislation after hearing increasing concerns about gift card scams affecting consumers across Michigan.
    — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of scam
Verb
  • After seeing information about the National Day of Action online, Isabel Montano, a junior studying philosophy and economics, decided to take action at SIUE.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Na studied crafts at university, working with wood, metal, dyes and ceramics, because flat, two-dimensional drawing had come to bore him.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of study
Verb
  • Oeko-Tex’s existing Label Check tool allows shoppers to scan a QR code or enter a certificate number or product ID to verify a label and view the information associated with it.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Authorities install a chip that is scanned by machines along federal highways.
    — Steve Fisher Special Correspondent Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of scan
Verb
  • In taking that gamble, the authors cheated fans and missed an opportunity.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • How successful the gerrymandering actually was remains to be seen — Republicans are polling poorly in the Lone Star State, perhaps in part because of their blatant attempt to cheat voters out of their voices.
    — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheat
Verb
  • While Bela is using the bathroom, Other Mommy approaches her and tricks her into agreeing that their family would be better if Frank wasn’t around.
    — William Earl, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Aguilar alleged that officers tricked her mother, who only speaks Spanish, into letting them in without giving her a chance to secure Kush.
    — Amy Corral, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Aiming to make the race to succeed Tillis a referendum on crime, Republicans have run ads claiming that Democratic nominee Roy Cooper went easy on convicts during his two terms in the governor’s mansion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • If the convict can help transport the loot from that camp to a safe space far from the government’s prying eyes, the warden will punch his get-outta-jail-free card.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of convict
Verb
  • Saving the lives of animals while juggling love and hardship, Kate must learn to heal herself along the way.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • McKinsey was about learning and always being curious and solving problems.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of learn

Phrases Containing con

Browse Nearby Words

Comstockery
con
concatenate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Con.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/con. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All