defraud

Definition of defraudnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb defraud contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of defraud are cheat, cozen, and swindle. While all these words mean "to get something by dishonesty or deception," defraud stresses depriving one of his or her rights and usually connotes deliberate perversion of the truth.

defrauded of her inheritance by an unscrupulous lawyer

When might cheat be a better fit than defraud?

While in some cases nearly identical to defraud, cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation.

cheated me out of a dollar

When would cozen be a good substitute for defraud?

The words cozen and defraud can be used in similar contexts, but cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

Where would swindle be a reasonable alternative to defraud?

In some situations, the words swindle and defraud are roughly equivalent. However, swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence.

swindled of their savings by con artists

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of defraud Moon, who had been convicted the year prior on charges of conspiracy to defraud the government and filing false tax returns, officiated the event. Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 Filmmaker Carl Erik Rinsch was sentenced on Monday to 30 months in prison after being convicted of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026 As to honest services wire fraud, it is based on Beasley allegedly scheming to defraud the Bucks and the NBA of his honest services. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 June 2026 Kashaundra Knowles, 37, of Fort Lauderdale, was arrested on June 11 on charges of organized scheme to defraud, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and money laundering. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for defraud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defraud
Verb
  • The American grandmaster shed some light on his mindset following Kramnik’s cheating accusations in a livestream prior to his death, according to the Associated Press.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • Trump has also continued to claim Democrats are trying to rig or cheat in the upcoming election, remarks that have faced rebukes from members of his own party.
    Ana Ceballos Follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • As artificial intelligence transforms the job market and rising living costs squeeze family budgets, the University of California system is making the case that its degrees remain valuable investments.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • Breweries may not have the budget or staff to create art and with rising costs squeezing small businesses, many breweries started to feature obvious generative AI art prominently as a way to talk about events or create content.
    Em Sauter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Patina Osaka’s ground-floor restaurant, P72, focuses on seasonal produce sourced nearby and plucked daily from the hotel’s urban garden.
    Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • Eyebrows were being plucked into oblivion, bronzer was used in excess, and hair was parted deeply to one side.
    Lauren Alberti, Allure, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Finally at the front of the line to enter the national memorial, the Wheelers and the Lockes took their turn through security to hustle for a good spot near the stage.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • He was hustled by Charlie Parker and was part of the American delegation at the inauguration of his good friend Nelson Mandela.
    Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Significant stinging insect infestations like wasps and carpenter bees may also require a specialized plan that isn’t included in your general pest control service.
    Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Democrats are still stung by Rogan’s nearly three-hour Trump interview in the final weeks of the 2024 campaign.
    Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Part of the robot’s training was to handle situations in which its handlers have deliberately deceived it.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • With or without Balogun, the co-host will be feeling confident against a Belgium team that has flattered to deceive in this tournament so far.
    David Hickey, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Elsaid is accused of bilking the medical assistance program out of over $182,000, while Agwa is accused of swindling over $94,000 from the program.
    Riley Moser, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • Ahmed, who fled to Dubai before he was indicted and is now in custody in Serbia awaiting extradition, is also charged in a separate scheme to bilk Loretto of funds through fraudulent invoicing.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • The company argued attorneys were swindling their own clients, inflating medical bills of car crash victims to increase the value of the settlement and then pocketing a hefty chunk of the payouts.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Elsaid is accused of bilking the medical assistance program out of over $182,000, while Agwa is accused of swindling over $94,000 from the program.
    Riley Moser, CBS News, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Defraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defraud. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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