as in scam
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
the explanation was so plausible that I never suspected it was all a con to make off with my car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to study
to commit to memory
usually candidates con their entire campaign speech, right down to the jokes they supposedly ad-lib
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to scan
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)
seemed to be conning his face for any sign of uncertainty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
a fly-by-night operator who had conned hundreds of would-be homeowners out of their hard-earned money
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
tried to con me into thinking that he had actually won the lottery
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of con
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025
What are the pros and cons of filing for a tax extension, according to experts?
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 12 Apr. 2025
Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
In the six-episode series, Dever stars alongside Alycia Debnam-Carey (The 100, Fear The Walking Dead), Aisha Dee (The Bold Type), and Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Burn), who all play versions of influencers, cancer survivors, and friends in Gibson’s corner who were betrayed or conned by the influencer.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for con
Noun
The con: There’s a clear top tier at both positions that could be gone by the time Denver’s No. 20 first-round pick rolls around April 24.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025
What are the pros and cons of filing for a tax extension, according to experts?
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
Trust is risky, and there is ample evidence from social science that the risk of being conned sparks a special risk aversion.
—Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
In the six-episode series, Dever stars alongside Alycia Debnam-Carey (The 100, Fear The Walking Dead), Aisha Dee (The Bold Type), and Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Burn), who all play versions of influencers, cancer survivors, and friends in Gibson’s corner who were betrayed or conned by the influencer.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for con
Cite this Entry
“Con.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/con. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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