dirty tricks

plural noun

Synonyms of dirty tricksnext
: underhanded stratagems for obtaining secret information about or sabotaging an enemy or for discrediting an opponent (as in politics)
dirty trickster noun

Examples of dirty tricks in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The voting period for the Academy Awards will end on Feb. 18, and Gascón implied that the timing of the revelations was no accident, alluding to a dirty tricks campaign against her. — Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2025 As with any election, however, there are dirty tricks afoot. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2024 False information and other dirty tricks aimed at discouraging people from going to the polls is nothing new. — Dan De Luce, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024 Transactional relationships abound, along with shifting alliances, dirty tricks and lusty proclivities against a backdrop of new money and old. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for dirty tricks

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dirty tricks was in 1963

Rhymes for dirty tricks

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Browse Nearby Words

dirty rice
dirty tricks
dirty word
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Cite this Entry

“Dirty tricks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirty%20tricks. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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