as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end
The seemingly benign questioning was all just a gambit to get them to fess up to their wrongdoing.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gambit
Fischbach has some thoughts as to why his gambit paid off, but first, learn a bit about him and the movie itself.
—
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Vanderbilt eventually realized that its best gambit was going after the guard defenders in isolation and not involving Iwuala, who finished the game with three steals and two blocks in addition to 14 rebounds.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The latter are something that Mafty wants to recruit, so the initial operation is part of that gambit, but by the end of the film, all bets are off, and the precarious abilities of Newtypes come to the fore.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Melania is Ratner’s most recent comeback gambit.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Vanderbilt eventually realized that its best gambit was going after the guard defenders in isolation and not involving Iwuala, who finished the game with three steals and two blocks in addition to 14 rebounds.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The latter are something that Mafty wants to recruit, so the initial operation is part of that gambit, but by the end of the film, all bets are off, and the precarious abilities of Newtypes come to the fore.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Melania is Ratner’s most recent comeback gambit.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
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Because telling Starfleet that the Furies are part Lynar, and particularly susceptible to high sonic frequencies, is just an ingenious ruse.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said at trial that the custody exchange on the day of the shooting was a ruse for Payne to talk his way back into Lane's life.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Those affected by the scheme can visit Agridime’s website to see how the company is handling investors’ claims.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
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Jane Doe alleged that in 2013, Epstein’s associates directed her to open a Bank of America account as part of a scheme to deceive immigration officials.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Seven of the 12 finalists fell in their first run in snowy conditions, which made landing tricks more of a challenge.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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Van Der Beek, twisting his remarkable life into a piece of comedy, pulled the same kind of trick.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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