defraud

verb

de·​fraud di-ˈfrȯd How to pronounce defraud (audio)
dē-
defrauded; defrauding; defrauds
Synonyms of defraudnext

transitive verb

: to deprive of something by deception or fraud
trying to defraud the public
Investors in the scheme were defrauded of their life savings.
defrauder
di-ˈfrȯ-dər How to pronounce defraud (audio)
dē-
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for defraud

cheat, cozen, defraud, swindle mean to get something by dishonesty or deception.

cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation.

cheated me out of a dollar

cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

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

swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence.

swindled of their savings by con artists

Examples of defraud in a Sentence

They were accused of trying to defraud the public. They conspired to defraud the government. She was convicted of writing bad checks with intent to defraud.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Hollywood director allegedly defrauds Netflix Netflix paid a Hollywood director millions for a new TV show. — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025 In October, Schiff, who built her reputation as an expert in blue-chip contemporary art, admitted to defrauding clients of at least $6.4 million through a series of deceptive transactions that prosecutors have likened to a Ponzi scheme. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 19 Mar. 2025 Peter Seidler’s widow, Sheel Seidler, filed a lawsuit on Jan. 6 alleging that two of her husband’s brothers defrauded her in their roles as trustees of his estate. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 Casimir, who is being held in a federal lock-up, pleaded not guilty to a conspiracy defrauding the United States, export violations and weapons smuggling in February and awaits trial. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defraud

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French defrauder, from Latin defraudare, from de- + fraudare to cheat, from fraud-, fraus fraud

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defraud was in the 14th century

Rhymes for defraud

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Browse Nearby Words

defragmenter
defraud
defraudation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defraud. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

defraud

verb
de·​fraud di-ˈfrȯd How to pronounce defraud (audio)
: to deprive of something by trickery, deception, or fraud
defrauder
di-ˈfrȯd-ər How to pronounce defraud (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

defraud

transitive verb
de·​fraud di-ˈfrȯd How to pronounce defraud (audio)
: to deprive of something by fraud
defrauder noun

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Nglish: Translation of defraud for Spanish Speakers

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