gimmick
Cheap attention grabber
A gimmick is a clever device, trick, or feature designed to attract attention or create interest—often with the implication of being superficial rather than substantive: The free gift was just a marketing gimmick.
A magician's gimmick is a secret device enabling a trick.
Politicians and salespeople rely on gimmicks to stand out.
The word carries skepticism: calling something a gimmick suggests it's flashy but lacks real value.
Novel small device
- widgetUnspecified small device
- fadShort-lived enthusiasm
- quirkPeculiar behavioral trait
- noveltyQuality of being original
knickknack · doodad · trinket · whimsy · contrivance · tchotchke · bauble · curio
Improvised or odd mechanism
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
- gadgetNovel small device
- widgetUnspecified small device
- apparatusEquipment for a task
invention · contrivance · attachment · accessory · lever · spring · trigger · switch
Calculated deceptive tactic
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- stuntDangerous feat for spectacle
- sleightDexterous trickery
- illusionMisleading sensory impression
feint · bluff · charade · shenanigan · prank · gambit · angle · dodge
gadget
Novel small device
novelty · knickknack · doodad · trinket · whimsy · contrivance · tchotchke · bauble · curio · thingamajig
contraption
Improvised or odd mechanism
apparatus · invention · contrivance · attachment · accessory · lever · spring · trigger · switch · prop
ploy
Calculated deceptive tactic
illusion · feint · bluff · charade · shenanigan · prank · gambit · angle · dodge · maneuver
scam
Dishonest money-making scheme
fraud · swindle · fake · phony · deceit · pretense · ruse · subterfuge · masquerade · misrepresentation
promotion
Rank increase or publicity
- stuntDangerous feat for spectacle
- sloganMemorable promotional phrase
- buzzwordTrendy jargon, often hollow
jingle · branding · giveaway · campaign · viral · infomercial · endorsement · billboard · hype · teaser
- thingamajigsthingamajig, thingamabob, whatchamacallit, doohickey, doodad
- gimmickstrick, ploy, stunt, gag, schtick
- Pro Wrestlingheel, WrestleMania, face turn, Royal Rumble, kayfabe
- magic propswand, top hat, cards, playing cards, card deck
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
- hypehype, buzz, spin, hype train, overhyped
gimmicksubstance
Physical material with mass
authenticity · genuineness · genuine article · sincerity · truth
gimmicknecessity
Indispensable requirement
fundamental · basic requirement · staple · mainstay · cornerstone