variants
or less commonly SMiShing
: the practice of sending text messages to someone in order to trick the person into revealing personal or confidential information which can then be used for criminal purposes
Don't get too excited if you receive a text message announcing you've won a gift card from a big retailer. Chances are it's smishing—or scams perpetrated by text messages.—
Emily Glazer
Emily GlazerSmishing is essentially phishing ported to mobile devices and typically arrives in the form of a text message suggesting the user has signed up for a service, and will be charged until they cancel using a web site. The site then prompts the user to click on a link, which actually triggers the download of a Trojan horse …—Computing
Computingcalled also SMS phishing
compare phishingExamples of smishing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In December, another smishing scam was reported where someone claiming to be USPS texted about tracking a package.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Those smishing texts telling you to make an Ohio Turnpike toll payment won't stop coming.
—Mariyam Muhammad, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The proliferation of these smishing messages was such that both the FBI and Federal Trade Commission intervened, alerting recipients of the con attempts.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 24 May 2025
The scale of the smishing activity from Chinese threats actors, including Smishing Triad and now Panda Shop is, Resucurity warned, impressive.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smishing
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Those smishing texts telling you to make an Ohio Turnpike toll payment won't stop coming.
—Mariyam Muhammad, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The proliferation of these smishing messages was such that both the FBI and Federal Trade Commission intervened, alerting recipients of the con attempts.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 24 May 2025
The scale of the smishing activity from Chinese threats actors, including Smishing Triad and now Panda Shop is, Resucurity warned, impressive.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smishing
Cite this Entry
“Smishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smishing. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share