fraud

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fraud different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of fraud are counterfeit, fake, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could counterfeit be used to replace fraud?

The words counterfeit and fraud can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When can fake be used instead of fraud?

The words fake and fraud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

When would humbug be a good substitute for fraud?

The meanings of humbug and fraud largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than fraud?

While in some cases nearly identical to fraud, imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

In what contexts can sham take the place of fraud?

Although the words sham and fraud have much in common, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

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 fraud Meanwhile, identity theft affected 42 million adults in the U.S., with fraud losses reaching $52 billion in 2021. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 These small transactions often lead to bigger, more damaging fraud if ignored. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025 The Trump administration, led by the Department of Government Efficiency team, has been amassing sensitive data on Americans and residents as a way to bolster immigration enforcement efforts and find potential instances of fraud in federal programs. Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 18 June 2025 The slashing of the benefits of medical care, food and other assistance to low-income families in this bill goes so far beyond even the most exaggerated claim of fraud, waste and abuse as to be cynically and sadistically abusive. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fraud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fraud
Noun
  • Tyler Perry's lawyer accuses Derek Dixon of 'setting up a scam' Perry's lawyer denied the allegations in a statement shared with USA TODAY.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 18 June 2025
  • And that’s when scams, theft and predatory fees become prevalent.
    Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Spotting The Scam: What Deepfakes Still Get Wrong Even the smartest fakes leave fingerprints.
    Anastasia Paruntseva, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • When fakes are passed off as the real thing, of course that would lead to murder.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • This stylization gives her a veneer of being disarmingly kind; but ultimately, is a form of deception that caused Sophie to fatally trust this person.
    Tiffany Leigh, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, the overnight mission relied on deception, aerial refueling, and near-total radio silence to hit Iran's Fordo and Natanz enrichment facilities—sites that had withstood weeks of sustained Israeli attacks.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • The quilt and sham are stuffed with artificial down to provide a cozy feel.
    Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025
  • This set features two pillow shams, duvet cover, and flat and fitted sheet.
    Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • But the level of deceit of this entire plan is mind-boggling.
    Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025
  • The defense’s case largely rests on accusations that the investigation into O’Keefe’s death was mired by deceit, incompetence and bias.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • Looking at the historical sample of data, the goal was to develop a set of rules that helped distinguish the genuine contenders from the pretenders and to narrow down as few actual champions as possible while simultaneously eliminating as many of the wannabes.
    Neil Paine, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • But for those trying to fill out their brackets this week, here are the Big Ten’s contenders and pretenders heading into March Madness.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Caricatured by Honoré Daumier and his lesser followers always as a mountebank, a charlatan, a circus clown, Louis Napoleon could normalize the extent of his outrages by the seeming harmlessness of his absurdities.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
  • Where to watch Saw: Amazon Prime Video (to rent) 03 of 10 Saw X (2023) John Kramer ventures to Mexico for an experimental cancer treatment administered by money-hungry charlatans in this slick but not particularly inventive revival sequel, which takes place between the events of Saw and Saw II.
    Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • On the other end of the spectrum was the more docile Kelly who often felt conflicted when her morals clashed with the cunning needed to succeed in the game.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 27 May 2025
  • But Waltz also advocated for further diplomatically isolating President Vladimir Putin — a position that was out of step with Trump, who has viewed the Russian leader, at moments, with admiration for his cunning in dealings with Trump’s predecessors.
    Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fraud. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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