Con
Con noun - An instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value.
Usage example: the explanation was so plausible that I never suspected it was all a con to make off with my car
Shell game and con are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Shell game" instead a noun "Con".
Nearby Word: cony
Shell game
Shell game noun - An instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value.
Usage example: it's amazing how intelligent people fall for that investment-fund shell game
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Synonyms for Shell game
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
- In one episode of Dead Like Me Mason tries to run a shell game scam on the streets, but he is so slow that everyone wins (and he apparently didn't pick up on how it's supposed to be a con).
Source: Shell Game - An interesting variant is referenced (and explained in the footnote) in Schlock Mercenary: the Turbingian Shell Game is a con involving at least two thieves.
Source: Shell Game -
Haley: A con man doesn't choose to play the shell game with you if there is any possibility of him actually losing.
Source: Kansas City Shuffle
Cite this Source
Shell game and Con. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/con/shell_game
Con & Shell game. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/con/shell_game>.
Shell game or Con. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/con/shell_game.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "con" and "shell game" have occurred on timeline