con man

or con·man

[ kon-man ]

/ ˈkɒn ˌmæn /

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See synonyms for con man on Thesaurus.com

noun Slang.

short for confidence man.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use con man in a sentence

The bitcoin community and press have vilified Mark Karpeles, the CEO of Mt. Gox, as a clown and a con man.
Vilified Bitcoin Tycoon After Losing $500 Million: My Life Is at Risk|Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Given that Benton and Team Mitch routinely refer to Bevin as a “con man,” that might not be an easy task.
Can ‘the Traitor’ Jesse Benton Unite the GOP?|Sam Youngman|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Duke of Deception By Geoffrey Wolff In his portrait of a con-man father, Wolff writes a memoir of perfect integrity.
Book Bag: Tracy Kidder and Richard Todd on The Art of Nonfiction|Tracy Kidder, Richard Todd|January 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
King was widely reviled in his lifetime, attacked as a troublemaker, a liar, a con man and a communist.
The MLK Whitewash|John Avlon|January 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST

He could be a “con man” lying about or at least exaggerating his accomplishments.
The Only Sportscaster That Mattered: New Biography of Howard Cosell|Robert Lipsyte|November 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Mister Public is further deceived in believing that the 'con man' who has a pitch nearby is connected with the enterprise.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney
"You're going to get your sly little con-man brain to working, I think," he said softly.
Letter of the Law|Alan Edward Nourse
Some shadow of the sly, elfin grin crept over the little con-man's face.
Letter of the Law|Alan Edward Nourse
Meyerhoff wiped the perspiration from his forehead, and shot the little con-man a stony glance.
Letter of the Law|Alan Edward Nourse
The little con-man's jaw sagged lower and lower, the color draining from his face.
Letter of the Law|Alan Edward Nourse

British Dictionary definitions for con man

con man

noun

informal a person who swindles another by means of a confidence trickMore formal term: confidence man

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

con man

or con·man

Words related to con man

How to use con man in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for con man