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
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Recent Examples of con
TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
Experts discuss the pros and cons of the rise of school apps for parents.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 21 Feb. 2025
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
Theater Camp watch on hulu Thelma Year: 2024 Runtime: 1h 37m
Director: Josh Margolin
A wonderful homage to the filmmaker’s actual grandmother, this Independent Spirit nominee stars the irreplaceable June Squibb as the title character, a woman who gets conned by a phone scam.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for con
Noun
There was no real debate about the pros and cons of going to war, and those who did raise questions were increasingly excluded from the decision-making process.
—TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
Experts discuss the pros and cons of the rise of school apps for parents.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Shah is serving time in prison after pleading guilty to a telemarketing fraud scheme that conned people, many senior citizens, out of their money.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
Theater Camp watch on hulu Thelma Year: 2024 Runtime: 1h 37m
Director: Josh Margolin
A wonderful homage to the filmmaker’s actual grandmother, this Independent Spirit nominee stars the irreplaceable June Squibb as the title character, a woman who gets conned by a phone scam.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 Jan. 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 12 Mar. 2025.
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