trick question
noun
: a deceptive question that is intended to make one give an answer that is not correct or that causes difficulty
Examples of trick question in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This, of course, is a trick question in so far as whether the novel can be defined at all—or perhaps defined only in its negation.
—
Ocean Vuong
september 6, Literary Hub, 6 Sep. 2022
The guitarist was in good spirits, but would occasionally toss out a trick question to test their depth of knowledge.
—Steve Appleford, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2025
What is your overall performance? a) Better than a 5% gain
b) Between 0% and 5% gain
c) Around zero
d) Between 0% and 5% loss
e) Worse than a 5% loss
This is not a trick question.
—Philip Maymin, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
And a who’s-who of dignitaries stacked in the pews like a trick question on any diplomatic quiz as to who gets to sit closest to the front row.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
One of the exercises involved something of a trick question: What is the most important article of clothing for an ambassador?
—Frank Lavin, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2012
But not as much as another experience, and that is …
Convenience
So, back to the trick question explanation.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
While every recruiter and hiring manager is different, this is rarely used as a trick question.
—Dr. Kyle Elliott, Mpa, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
This is almost a trick question: According to Romanowski, there actually isn't a huge incentive to use conditioners based on your hair type.
—Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, 25 Sep. 2023
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Ocean Vuong
september 6, Literary Hub, 6 Sep. 2022
The guitarist was in good spirits, but would occasionally toss out a trick question to test their depth of knowledge.
—Steve Appleford, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2025
What is your overall performance? a) Better than a 5% gain
b) Between 0% and 5% gain
c) Around zero
d) Between 0% and 5% loss
e) Worse than a 5% loss
This is not a trick question.
—Philip Maymin, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
And a who’s-who of dignitaries stacked in the pews like a trick question on any diplomatic quiz as to who gets to sit closest to the front row.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
One of the exercises involved something of a trick question: What is the most important article of clothing for an ambassador?
—Frank Lavin, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2012
But not as much as another experience, and that is …
Convenience
So, back to the trick question explanation.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
While every recruiter and hiring manager is different, this is rarely used as a trick question.
—Dr. Kyle Elliott, Mpa, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
This is almost a trick question: According to Romanowski, there actually isn't a huge incentive to use conditioners based on your hair type.
—Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, 25 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Trick question.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trick%20question. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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