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
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Argentina’s citizen by investment scheme will offer numerous perks for travelers, including unlocking frictionless access to some of the most popular international destinations.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The administration’s language would establish a range of mandatory minimum sentences based on the amount of loss involved in fraud schemes, according to the document.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • Collins noted that Kao, who was facing federal charges at the time, was convicted of money laundering and bank fraud.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Molloy’s fraud was on Southeastern, a National Rail operator, rather than the Tube, but fare evasion still costs London’s transit system heavily.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • After hustling in the industry for the better part of a decade, her profile has completely exploded over the past few months.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But the bad news was he got thrown out trying to hustle into second.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of hustle
Noun
  • Kids can explore an inflatable corn maze, go trick-or-treating, face painting and more.
    — John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Beamer’s acumen in the game’s third phase comes from father, Hall of Famer Frank Beamer, whose Virginia Tech teams won games by blocking kicks and using trick plays.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • Indy struggled against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in its season opener, then took a stinging 33-30 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
    — Elise Devlin, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • General Mills spun off Darden Restaurants in 1995, and then Darden sold Red Lobster in 2014, in a deal with the private equity firm Golden Gate Capital that still stings many veterans to this day.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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