Definitions

scam

[skam] / skæm /

NOUN

swindle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blackmail deceit deception extortion fraud hoax racket ripoff shakedown sham

STRONG

cheating con double-dealing flimflam hosing hustle sting

WEAK

con game crooked deal dirty pool double cross fast one shady deal shell game snow job sucker game

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It was such an elaborate scam," she said.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

AFP reviewed dozens of now-inactive Facebook ads, in multiple languages, directing users to scam ticket pages such as "fifa.house."

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Last month, the New York Police Department warned of a jewelry-swapping scam.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

Romania-based cybersecurity company Bitdefender also said it found 55 football-related scam ad campaigns on Meta platforms, including promotions for phony collectibles and merchandise.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

That night, when I went to bed, I was no longer worried about eighth-grade love triangles or whether it was possible that Clearasil was just an elaborate scam that gave insecure teens false hope.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Vocabulary lists containing scam

Smoke and Mirrors: The Lingo of Illusion and Deception

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"Imperfect Me"

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Simply Scandalous!

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!