defraud

de·fraud

verb \di-ˈfrȯd, dē-\

Definition of DEFRAUD

transitive verb

: to deprive of something by deception or fraud

— de·fraud·er \di-ˈfrȯ-dər\ noun

Examples of DEFRAUD

1. They were accused of trying to defraud the public.
2. They conspired to defraud the government.
3. She was convicted of writing bad checks with intent to defraud.

Origin of DEFRAUD

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DEFRAUD

Synonyms: beat, bilk, bleed, cheat, chisel, chouse, con, cozen, fleece, diddle, do, do in, euchre, fiddle, flimflam, gaff, gyp, hose [slang], hustle, mulct, nobble [British slang], pluck, ream, rip off, rook, screw, shake down, short, shortchange, skin, skunk, squeeze, stick, stiff, sting, sucker, swindle, thimblerig, victimize

Related Words: extort, wrench, wrest, wring; clip, gouge, nick, overcharge, soak; exploit, milk; deceive, dupe, fool, gull, trick; rope (in); betray, bitch, double-cross; bamboozle, fast-talk

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See Synonym Discussion at cheat

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with DEFRAUD

abroad, applaud, belaud, maraud, whipsawed