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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 gambit
Of course, the gambit could backfire.
—
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
That is the point of Newsom’s redistricting gambit.
—Lance Christensen, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
The gambit has triggered a national redistricting war, with governors of both parties threatening to initiate similar efforts in other states.
—Joseph Ax, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
The man responsible for this gambit was Robert Thomas, a biologist at New Orleans’s Loyola University and the former director of the Louisiana Nature Center.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
That is the point of Newsom’s redistricting gambit.
—Lance Christensen, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
The gambit has triggered a national redistricting war, with governors of both parties threatening to initiate similar efforts in other states.
—Joseph Ax, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
The man responsible for this gambit was Robert Thomas, a biologist at New Orleans’s Loyola University and the former director of the Louisiana Nature Center.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gambit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambit
Noun
-
Police said McGriff employed the ruse to access the couple's Queens residence and then set it ablaze.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
McGriff allegedly tried the ruse at a nearby house first but was turned away, Tisch said.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Roberts and Robinson, who federal prosecutors say conducted the scheme over the course of five years, between 2018 and 2023, allegedly stole $900,000 from the court system.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Just look at the offense — more weapons, better scheme, more support.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thus, Last Rites tries a new trick, with the doll growing in size and chasing Judy down a hallway, in a sequence that is strangely reminiscent of Five Nights At Freddy's.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Grandma's favorite time-saving trick is to rely on the trusty the slow-cooker to make sweet, tender onions that require little to no stirring.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gambit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambit. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share