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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Stop gimmicks like hard appraisal caps that just shift the burden to others and drive up housing costs.
—
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025
So far its an okay gimmick, but this can get really old really soon.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Rather than chasing gimmicks, the company has doubled down on image quality, system reliability, and post-incident usability.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
The materials feel premium — sturdy canvas that softens with wear, tweed that frays with character, and enamel pins that add personality without gimmick.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025
So far its an okay gimmick, but this can get really old really soon.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Rather than chasing gimmicks, the company has doubled down on image quality, system reliability, and post-incident usability.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
The materials feel premium — sturdy canvas that softens with wear, tweed that frays with character, and enamel pins that add personality without gimmick.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gimmick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gimmick
Noun
-
But federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say the ex-athletes and all the other players were in on a ruse, using technology to rig the outcome.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
But the ruse hits a snag when Taylor's boss (Tia Mowry) starts to question Hugh Mann's credentials, and Taylor starts dating the son of the resort owner (New Amsterdam's Ryan Eggold).—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That being said, some travel essentials stay packed and ready—the gear, gadgets, and go-tos that make every trip that much easier.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
-
This signals Noetix’s interest in cultivating a developer community around Bumi, treating it as a participatory platform rather than a closed gadget.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The only hitch was the two-handed pinch-and-hold gesture for rotating some objects.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Season 51 of the variety series has seemed to have gone on without a hitch after several notable names left the show ahead of the new season's premiere.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the below example, against Real Oviedo’s zonal scheme protecting the six-yard box, three players run away from goal and one to the near-post to attack Marcus Rashford’s outswinger, resulting in Araujo scoring.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
All of that has left the Heat seeking answers in the immediate aftermath of Rozier’s Thursday arrest stemming from his alleged involvement in a sports betting scheme.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For Lauren, the idea for their current AI tool began 25 years ago.—
Tharin Pillay,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
But your browser is where all of your work, tools, and context come together.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The risk to coffee production from climate change has some researchers trying to develop more climate-resistant varieties of coffee.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This can increase the risk of burns or further injury.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the weeks leading up to Halloween, Newman continues to share wig tips ahead of partying and trick-or-treating.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Apple and caramel dips Apples are a top-tier fall fruit and a healthy, on-theme choice for trick-or-treaters.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Common pitfalls include adding too much salt, relying heavily on canned varieties, and using too much cream or butter.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
-
At the time, Sinegal was dismissive of the women’s concerns—a reminder of the pitfalls of turning one person’s ethos into an organization’s moral compass.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gimmick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gimmick. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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