Thesaurus results for GIMMICK

gimmick

noun

ˈgi-mik

Definition of gimmick

as in ruse

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end that free dinner is just a sales gimmick to get you to listen to their sales pitch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in gadget

an interesting and often novel device with a practical use a car equipped with a parking spot locator and other neat gimmicks

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in hitch

a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized the deal sounds too good to be true, so make sure there aren't any gimmicks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 gimmick The stabs at humor also fall flat, even if the gimmick of a priest injecting his enemies with a serum that obliges them to attend mass every Sunday is kind of fun the first time, but not really the second or third. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026 His latest book, Three Tenses, a well as his Pulitzer Prize finalist Same Bed Different Dreams, are complex without resorting to gimmicks or cheap obfuscation that implies depth. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026 Democrats and health advocates deride the plan as an election-year gimmick, noting Republicans let ACA subsidies expire, sending premiums skyrocketing, while questions remain about funding, legality and whether $500 meaningfully helps. — Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Bringing that same structure to Miami was a deliberate choice, not a promotional gimmick. — Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gimmick

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmick

Noun

What about when Carole was hiding in the closet to try to overhear Luann calling her a pedophile, and Jules Wainstein kept trying to ruin her ruse?

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Last-ditch plan for prosecution Authorities next developed what Smallwood described as a last-ditch plan to prosecute Tanzer — a ruse that could catch him lying about the rape.

— Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruse

Noun

But as the gadgets have grown in notoriety, they’ve also been met with privacy backlash and doubts about whether the technology is beneficial enough to become a fixture in everyday life.

— Samantha Subin, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Children today are growing up around AI, robots and devices that once belonged to science fiction, and Yoshida concedes that reality has, in some ways, caught up with Doraemon’s gadgets.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of gadget

Noun

Argentina’s citizen by investment scheme will offer numerous perks for travelers, including unlocking frictionless access to some of the most popular international destinations.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The administration’s language would establish a range of mandatory minimum sentences based on the amount of loss involved in fraud schemes, according to the document.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

There’s the plush seating area for makeup, hair, and comfortable waiting, of course, but there’s also a bathroom replete with outlets for styling tools and with multiple sinks.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
This year's prizes began with the Nobel for medicine, awarded Monday to three scientists whose work led to a tool that uses light to help unravel how the brain works.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of tool

Noun

Applicants can expect checks into their identity, source of funds, finances and assets, jurisdictional risk, as well as their criminal, reputational, and immigration history.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Thirteen are rated at very high risk or in default, and 23 have no rating from the big agencies, which cuts them from international bond markets.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of risk

Noun

Kids can explore an inflatable corn maze, go trick-or-treating, face painting and more.

— John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
Beamer’s acumen in the game’s third phase comes from father, Hall of Famer Frank Beamer, whose Virginia Tech teams won games by blocking kicks and using trick plays.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of trick

Noun

Caputo vowed to prevent such pitfalls, with intelligence and financial oversight agencies helping to vet applicants' identities, criminal records and sources of funds.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Caputo vowed to prevent such pitfalls, with intelligence and financial oversight agencies helping to vet applicants’ identities, criminal records and sources of funds.

— Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of pitfall

Browse Nearby Words

gimmes

gimmick

gimmicked (up)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gimmick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmick. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gimmick

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes