FRAUD Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fraud

noun

Definition of fraud next

as in scam

an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value thousands of people lost money when the investment scheme turned out to be a fraud

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as in fake

one who makes false claims of identity or expertise the "blind" panhandler was just a fraud trying to con holiday shoppers out of their money

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as in deception

the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery charges that he had gained control of his elderly mother's estate by 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