Thesaurus results for SHELL GAME

shell game

noun

as in scam

an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value it's amazing how intelligent people fall for that investment-fund shell game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of shell game The grand jury’s focus was the shell game played with $10 million that rightfully belonged to the Florida Medicaid program. —

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026 Nate Davis had some thoughts after McDermott was fired, writing that the NFL's coaching carousel has devolved into an absurd shell game. —

Jim Reineking, USA Today, 23 Jan. 2026 Expedia played a shell game with your money, wasted your time with useless chatbots and ignored paper trails. —

Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026 Budget shell games, in other words. —

The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shell game

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell game

scam

Noun

But his eventual unraveling included accusations of misappropriated funds, his resignation, a bizarre alleged suicide-for-hire and insurance scam plot, a stint in rehab for drug addiction, dozens of financial crimes, his disbarment and, ultimately, the murder charges.

— Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
According to court documents, Yves Bouvier purchased the work for $60 million privately from Sotheby’s, then sold it to Dmitry Rybolovlev for $85 million, part of the series of markups that constituted the alleged scam.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026