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
Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 May 2025
But a week after the El Paso music festival, organizers gathered to weigh the pros and the cons of hosting in Chicago, said Nieto
Hundreds have commented on the news.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Sean Neumann, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Trust is risky, and there is ample evidence from social science that the risk of being conned sparks a special risk aversion.
—Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for con
Noun
The cons: Rose bet on baseball, which earned his original banishment.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 May 2025
But a week after the El Paso music festival, organizers gathered to weigh the pros and the cons of hosting in Chicago, said Nieto
Hundreds have commented on the news.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Verb
The wayward 21-year-old would be fired from his job for stealing cash, launching a life of conning others for financial gain.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Trust is risky, and there is ample evidence from social science that the risk of being conned sparks a special risk aversion.
—Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 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 2 Jun. 2025.
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