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Shill - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A shill is a person who pretends to be impartial but secretly promotes or praises something for personal gain, often to deceive others into buying or supporting it.

shill

/ʃɪl/ /ʃɪl/

Definition:

A person who pretends to endorse a product or idea for payment, often deceptively.

Synonyms:

decoy, plant, stooge, accomplice

Part of Speech:

noun, verb

Antonyms:

critic, opponent

Common Collocations:

paid shill, shill bidding, shill account, professional shill

Derivatives:

shilling, shilled

Usage Tips:

Use "shill" to describe someone secretly promoting something for personal gain; often implies deception.

Common Phrases:

"shill game, " "shill bidder, " "act as a shill"

Etymology:

Originated from early 20th-century slang, possibly from "shillaber," meaning a carnival worker who lures customers.

Examples:

  • 1. The company hired a shill to hype their product online.
  • 2. He was exposed as a shill for the gambling industry.
  • 3. Don’t trust that reviewer—they might be a paid shill.
  • 4. The auction was rigged with shill bidders inflating prices.

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