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

Relevance
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
  • Once Wanda’s ruse is uncovered, the real Vision (now sporting a white costume) is reanimated and has his full memory restored.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • His misdirection was part of an elaborate ruse to mask his transfer from Air Force One to a military fighter jet following intel that Iran may be targeting the president’s plane.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Earlier this year, Meta also launched scam detection for device linking requests on WhatsApp.
    — Stevie Bonifield, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In a social media post on Thursday, the Ojai Raptor Center alerted its supporters to potential scams involving merchandise featuring Big Bear's bald eagle, Jackie.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of scam
Verb
  • Last year, Anthropic found that if a model is allowed to cheat during training, the cheating becomes a habit.
    — Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Tae-ha’s mom left him after Sang-gil, who was also a boxer prior to becoming a thug, cheated in a match.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • The Steelers outgained Green Bay 385-160 and collected yardage in huge chunks at times on plays that had receivers running wide open against a vanilla defense more focused on fundamentals than elaborate schemes for a game that didn't count.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In the scheme of climate change, the cost of my cough is relatively small.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • The State Bar also provides consumer information about avoiding legal fraud, including the unauthorized practice of law, and tips about avoiding immigration legal services fraud.
    — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • They are further accused of common law fraud and equitable fraud.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • Caglianone caught it just before Bregman could hustle down the first-base line.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Besides Instagram hustling and scouring job boards, entrepreneurial editors find gigs when creators call out for help.
    — Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of hustle
Noun
  • Kluivert notched a hat-trick in the 10-1 thrashing of Italy’s Genoa, with Scott, Unal (two goals each) and David Brooks scoring too.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The trick is to hold the can 8 to 10 inches away, and spray in short bursts.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • Spray the nest from a distance to reduce the chances of being stung.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • More than 3,100 people have been stung at Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beach so far this year, which is at least double last year's total.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sting

Browse Nearby Words

flighty
flimflam
flimflammed
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Flimflam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimflam. Accessed 17 Aug. 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’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All