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
Trick and shell game are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Trick" instead a noun phrase "Shell game".
Trick
Trick noun - A clever often underhanded means to achieve an end.
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
- The B-plot of the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Live Fast and Prosper" involves Paris and Neelix trying to trick the Doctor with a literal shell game.
Source: Shell Game - Shell Game: An early demo used this as a Fib minigame, where you try to trick an NPC by moving shells around.
Cite this Source
Trick and Shell game. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/shell_game/trick
Shell game & Trick. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/shell_game/trick>.
Trick or Shell game. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/shell_game/trick.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "shell game" and "trick" have occurred on timeline