as in scam
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
the explanation was so plausible that I never suspected it was all a con to make off with my car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to study
to commit to memory
usually candidates con their entire campaign speech, right down to the jokes they supposedly ad-lib
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to scan
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)
seemed to be conning his face for any sign of uncertainty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
a fly-by-night operator who had conned hundreds of would-be homeowners out of their hard-earned money
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
tried to con me into thinking that he had actually won the lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 con
Joe Salas
july 08, New Atlas, 8 July 2025
What are the pros and cons of sidewalks that separate communities in the Milwaukee metropolitan area?
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Today, more than more than 220,000 people from across the world are estimated to have been trafficked to Myanmar and Cambodia and forced to con people around the globe out of their savings.
—Amy Gunia, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for con
Noun
The pros and cons: Without the beacon, the drone has a maximum 1,640-foot (500-m) range.
—Joe Salas
july 08, New Atlas, 8 July 2025
What are the pros and cons of sidewalks that separate communities in the Milwaukee metropolitan area?
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leveraging advanced tools like generative AI to con unsuspecting victims.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Today, more than more than 220,000 people from across the world are estimated to have been trafficked to Myanmar and Cambodia and forced to con people around the globe out of their savings.
—Amy Gunia, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for con
Cite this Entry
“Con.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/con. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share