Definition of DEFRAUDED

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

Philip Esformes, the 50-year-old owner of more than 30 Miami-area nursing and assisted-living facilities, was convicted of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and paying and receiving health-care kickbacks, among other charges. ... — Patrick Thomas, WSJ, "Health-Care Executive Tied to Admissions Scandal Found Guilty in Separate Fraud Case," 5 Apr. 2019 Chaney, of Tangipahoa Parish, pleaded guilty on Dec. 28, 2016, to one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and to commit theft of public money, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. — Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com, "North Shore woman gets 2 years in prison for tax fraud scheme," 31 May 2018 Winterkorn, who stepped down from his role as CEO days after the scandal was revealed, is accused of conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the Clean Air Act. — Bloomberg, latimes.com, "U.S. charges Volkswagen ex-CEO in diesel-cheating case," 3 May 2018 Cantu testified over three days in February in the federal government’s case against Uresti, who was found guilty on all 11 felony charges related to his involvement in an oil field services company that defrauded her and other investors. — Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, "Star witness in state Sen. Carlos Uresti’s trial acquitted in her own criminal case," 2 May 2018 Linville worked with three associates to defraud more than 1,000 victims and collect more than $150,000 in traceable donations over six years, according to investigators. — Noah Gray, CNN, "4 charged with using 'Wounded Warrior' name to raise over $150,000 for personal profit," 16 Mar. 2018 Singer agreed to plead guilty on Tuesday of charges including racketeering, defrauding the United States, obstruction of justice, and fraud. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "What Is the College Admissions Scandal? Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman Were Indicted," 15 Mar. 2019 The charges related to Uresti’s involvement in FourWinds Logistics, a now-defunct oil field services company that defrauded investors. — Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, "Judge refuses to appoint Uresti’s lawyer of choice for appeal," 12 July 2018 As a result of the FBI investigation, Singer was charged with one count each of racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and obstruction of justice, according to the New York Times. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Who Is William Singer, the Man at the Center of the College Admissions Fraud Scandal?," 13 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defraud.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.