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
  • There’s a fun bit when Green pulls her badge to walk Reacher out through the police cordon, pretending to have placed him under arrest, but the ruse doesn’t last long.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Patterson was accused of pretending to eat the same portion, and of feigning illness in an elaborate ruse to suggest she’d also been poisoned.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • 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, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • So how can consumers avoid scams and trust real organizations?
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of scam
Verb
  • Written and rendered by dudes who longed for unlimited success, these are songs about cheating and being cheated on and trying but failing to be content, or love as lived amid capitalist indulgence.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Cheaters gonna cheat The first step was creating a message board that allowed the agents to pass notes to each other.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • McNeal added that his second year in the offense has given him more confidence in the scheme and motivated him to get stronger to contribute in the run game.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • While Simmons’ offensive scheme helped unlock FIU’s ground game last season, quarterbacks Keyone Jenkins and Joe Pesansky combined for 13 interceptions.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • Colorado has no shortage of important legal priorities, from protecting consumers against fraud to addressing the complex issues facing families and businesses across the state.
    — Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026
  • So far, only one conviction has come out of the sweeping fraud investigation of Loretto’s former executives.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • Jake Mangum singled to left but rookie Joshua Baez misplayed it and then didn’t hustle after it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Officers hustled the residents, including the children, out of the home, while Walsh and the second officer found the suspect hiding in a bathroom.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hustle
Noun
  • Treister had a smart sense of humor, often performing magic tricks for anyone who would come over to his home, his family said.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Layered background sighs, a resonant lead vocal, autumnal acoustic guitar flickers, synths both eerie and trippy—James has all his tricks on tap.
    — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • As a young Black woman, the betrayal stung as much as a rejection by any guy.
    — Sarah Jones, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The bugs, particularly ticks, ants, mosquitoes and stinging insects, are going to take full advantage thanks to warmer temperatures, according to the National Pest Management Associations (NPMA)'s biannual Bug Barometer®.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sting

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Cite this Entry

“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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