1
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
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2
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
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3
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gimmick
The taxes have become entrenched in the system, but conservatives argue the payments are gimmicks that essentially amount to money laundering.
—
Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 12 May 2025
The gimmick worked as a ratings booster; Tanenhaus says that ABC drew as many as ten million viewers a night.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Sketch comedy shows, particularly Monty Python's Flying Circus, had deployed the gimmick several times.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 May 2025
Bond yields are reaching 20-year highs amid the realization in financial markets that many of the budget cuts in the House bill are gimmicks and the deficit spiral will mostly continue.
—The Editors, National Review, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 12 May 2025
The gimmick worked as a ratings booster; Tanenhaus says that ABC drew as many as ten million viewers a night.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Sketch comedy shows, particularly Monty Python's Flying Circus, had deployed the gimmick several times.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 May 2025
Bond yields are reaching 20-year highs amid the realization in financial markets that many of the budget cuts in the House bill are gimmicks and the deficit spiral will mostly continue.
—The Editors, National Review, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmick
Noun
-
The Republicans’ billionaire populism has always been a ruse.—
Jim Miller,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 June 2025
-
For the artist Christina Ramberg, watching her mother getting dressed for parties—in particular, putting on a corset called a merry widow, which gave her an hourglass figure—revealed the extent to which the female form was a ruse.—
Jane Yong Kim,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
The rechargeable gadget has only one button to power it on, shut it down, and adjust its speed setting.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
30 May 2025
-
The chair also comes equipped with a cupholder, a gadget holder, and a pillow.—
Brandi Fuller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
The flight continues without a hitch, and Fielder attempts to open the lines of communication with his copilot, Aaron, by repeatedly asking him if everything is okay.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
-
The Foundation series Cybertruck includes Full Self Driving (an $8,000 value) and a trailer hitch.—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
At the end of February, a pedestrian was hit in West London by an ebike rider in West London — not a rental or sharing scheme, to be clear — and died after a month in hospital.—
Nicole Kobie,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
This scheme netted Smith over $10 million in royalties before he was caught.—
Tyler Hicks,
Rolling Stone,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
That in itself is a valuable tool for a defenseman: being able to skate the puck into the neutral zone and then make a clean first pass to get the offensive process started.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
-
Other tools, such as my own Swan Dive method can help as well.—
Bryce Hoffman,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
Here are suggestions for staying safe during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
-
The greatest storm coverage is expected from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is a moderate risk of life-threatening rip currents at all area beaches.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
The secret trick of reconciliation is that Congress gets a chance to add tweaks to the budget — to reconcile it — twice every federal fiscal year.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
30 May 2025
-
Turn Strong Articles Into How-To Or Best-Practice Guides One of my favorite tricks is transforming strong articles into resources that stay relevant long-term, like how-to guides or best practices.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Knowing what to look for—and what to avoid—can help hiring managers find top talent while avoiding pitfalls like unconscious bias or inconsistent standards.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Flight of the Peach soars above these pitfalls, delivering fresh stone fruit flavors from organic California peaches, enhancing the wheat malt base.—
Peter Rowe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gimmick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmick. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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