1
as in cheat
a dishonest person who uses clever means to cheat others out of something of value
a heartless trickster swindled the elderly woman out of her life savings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in magician
one who practices tricks and illusions for entertainment
a very adept trickster who used mirrors to make huge items—even buildings—seem to disappear
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trickster
Loki, the trickster, exploits this unusual weakness by using an arrow made of mistletoe to kill Baldur.
—
Scott Neuman, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
Moving around and between the Sizes is the mysterious Elegba (Malcolm Mays), whose influence over Oshoosi seems both dangerous and loving; in the play’s trickster paradigm, these are the same thing.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
Seasons 27 and 28 of South Park have presented the president as a main player on the series, building up some baby drama involving Satan and depicting Vance as a diabolical, power-hungry trickster of sorts.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
While mild-mannered, Vince Staples is a trickster at his core.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trickster
Scott Neuman, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
Moving around and between the Sizes is the mysterious Elegba (Malcolm Mays), whose influence over Oshoosi seems both dangerous and loving; in the play’s trickster paradigm, these are the same thing.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
Seasons 27 and 28 of South Park have presented the president as a main player on the series, building up some baby drama involving Satan and depicting Vance as a diabolical, power-hungry trickster of sorts.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
While mild-mannered, Vince Staples is a trickster at his core.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trickster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trickster
Noun
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An oversized Oxford shirt is a rich-looking cheat code for the ages.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
-
That’s basically the cheat code to any travel wardrobe.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Other guests include John Oates of Hall & Oates fame, Tommy Thayer of KISS, magician Murray SawChuck and SIXWIRE.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
12 Feb. 2026
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The first three weeks saw an 8-year-old aerialist, a 74-year-old comedian, a laser-performing duo from Vietnam and a Las Vegas magician who hung from the ceiling in a straitjacket.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Almost all other passengers dine at the Britannia Restaurant, and there’s also a buffet restaurant serving international cuisine, with options for vegans, vegetarians and dairy dodgers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Jan. 2026
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But my collection intentionally ignored the fraudulent exploits of billionaire heirs, tax dodgers and corporate magnates — defense contracts, government lobbying, bank accounts in Switzerland, shell companies in Panama, citizenship of Antigua and political asylum in London.—
Snigdha Poonam,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Twin Isle, from Shirley’s Trini Cuisine chef Janelle Romeo, makes customizable bowls, roti wraps, bake-and-shark and oxtail fries.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
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Anyone who has seen a shark fin break the water and then disappear knows this is not reassuring.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trickster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trickster. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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