phisher

noun

phish·​er ˈfi-shər How to pronounce phisher (audio)
plural phishers
Synonyms of phishernext
: a person who tricks Internet users into revealing personal or confidential information which can then be used illicitly : a person who engages in phishing
A phisher will use emails … to scam an individual out of their money. Phishing is different from a lot of other scams because usually these crooks are not trying to get you to buy anything. They're after information.—The State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)

Examples of phisher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The phishers were unsuccessful in both cases, city officials said. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 Microsoft To ensure that the TOTP is entered within the time limit (usually about 30 seconds), the phishers use bots based on Telegram or other real-time messengers that automatically enter credentials quickly. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2023 This means that a phisher online can't simply trick someone into handing over their password, or even a password plus a second-factor code, to break into a digital account. — Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 30 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

respelling of fisher after phishing entry 1

First Known Use

1996, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phisher was in 1996

Rhymes for phisher

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Cite this Entry

“Phisher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phisher. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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