Thesaurus results for GIMMICK

gimmick

noun

ˈgi-mik

Definition of gimmick

as in ruse

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end that free dinner is just a sales gimmick to get you to listen to their sales pitch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in gadget

an interesting and often novel device with a practical use a car equipped with a parking spot locator and other neat gimmicks

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in hitch

a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized the deal sounds too good to be true, so make sure there aren't any gimmicks

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 gimmick Musk, for example, funded a $1 million-a-day giveaway through America PAC that election cycle to encourage swing-state residents to register voters, including in Pennsylvania, providing winners with giant gimmick checks. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2026 Many employers double down on rigid return-to-office rules, surveillance and gimmicks, even as workers fight back with coffee badging, ghost bookings and other quiet rebellions. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 Adam Voith, Vernon’s former booking agent and part of an unofficial group of inner-circle advisors, says that, despite its vaudevillian vibes, this one-night-only thing wasn’t a marketing gimmick. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026 Imagine, for example, a bot tasked with reducing the federal deficit that institutes an elaborate and hard-to-detect accounting gimmick, or a customer-service agent that issues absurd discounts in pursuit of customer-satisfaction ratings. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gimmick

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmick

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

In terms of player archetype, Everhart could be considered a gadget-type player who can be used in the backfield, at slot and on special teams.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026
The gadget has a quick-warming ceramic plate that heats up within 6 seconds of pressing the button.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of gadget

Noun

The only hitch was that the move to Juventus broke down, leaving Suzuki and Martinez in the same squad.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Wang hopes that SharkNinja will continue to ease American consumer friction long into the future, and that his Chinese nationality won’t be a hitch.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitch

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

Tubes from hospital equipment were still attached to his face, gunshot wounds on his right side were still gaping, and tattoos which included a gun and a bullet casing were still embedded in his skin, a permanent memorial to the tools of his demise.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Their choices were tools that understand their work and keep them in control.

— Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of tool

Noun

Analysts warn that beyond crowded positioning and technical pullbacks, fundamental risks within the AI supply chain may also be emerging.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
States alleged that Meta’s internal research documented links between Instagram use and harms including depression, anxiety and body-image concerns among young people, while the company publicly minimized or concealed those risks.

— Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of risk

Noun

Messi was instrumental in Argentina’s route to the final, opening his World Cup with a hat-trick against Algeria and scoring in each of his team’s matches up to and including the round of 16.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
The key manufacturing trick was direct ink writing, a form of 3D printing.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of trick

Browse Nearby Words

gimmes

gimmick

gimmicked (up)

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Gimmick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmick. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of gimmick

noun

Example Sentences

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