Sting
Sting noun - An instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value.
Usage example: the pawn shop operation turned out to be a sting by undercover police officers to catch the ring of burglars
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Synonyms for Sting
Shell game and sting are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Shell game" instead a noun "Sting".
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
Sting and shell game are semantically related. You can use "Sting" instead a noun phrase "Shell game".
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Shell game and Sting. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/sting/shell_game
Sting & Shell game. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/sting/shell_game>.
Shell game or Sting. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/sting/shell_game.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "sting" and "shell game" have occurred on timeline