as in fraud
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
that's just a scam to bilk insurance companies for staged accidents
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scam
In 2023, the last year for which FTC data is available, Americans reported losing $10 billion to scams—an all-time high.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
What’s nagging me is the suspicion that this is all a scam.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Many victims post about similar scams to warn others.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2025
According to a recent study, pickpocket scams are more prevalent in Europe, particularly in Italy, which ranked highest for pickpockets among the continent's other top destinations.
—Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scam 
Judy Berman, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
What’s nagging me is the suspicion that this is all a scam.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Many victims post about similar scams to warn others.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2025
According to a recent study, pickpocket scams are more prevalent in Europe, particularly in Italy, which ranked highest for pickpockets among the continent's other top destinations.
—Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scam
Noun
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Trump and Vice President JD Vance have emphasized that cuts to Social Security and Medicare are largely off the table except for fraud and abuse.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
8 Feb. 2025
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The memorandum also directs the DOJ to engage in prosecutions under laws meant to prevent fraud and criminal conspiracies against the U.S. government.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Justin Ansel Butler falsified documents to make the Duck Donuts franchises in Woodbury and the Mall of America look profitable, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday in Washington County District Court charging him with felony theft by swindle.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
20 Jan. 2025
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The swindles also involved fake investments, phony sweepstakes, and tech support scams in which a person was contacted and told there was something wrong with their computer, which could be corrected for a fee.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That 2019 prank also made headlines, with the company denouncing the sign as a hoax.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Jan. 2025
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Kash was critical to exposing the Russian collusion hoax and bringing truth to the American people.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Board members are weighing the pros and cons between replacing the Sleepy Hollow outdoor pool, the less costly option, or going with a more expensive indoor facility at the Randall Oaks Recreation Center in West Dundee.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
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The Schitt's Creek Emmy winner reunites with her Beetlejuice Beetlejuice costar Willem Dafoe for Michelob ULTRA's Game Day ad, in which the pair con various pickleball players out of their beer by pretending to be inexperienced.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The lawsuit alleged RealPage engaged in a collusion scheme with landlords that resulted in higher rent across the country.—
Elizabeth Schulze,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2025
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The Times has reported that in 2020 and 2021, the period when prosecutors say the money laundering scheme was underway, The Epoch Times donated $16 million to Shen Yun and a school that trains its performers.—
Michael Rothfeld,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near scam
Cite this Entry
“Scam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scam. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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