defraud

verb

de·​fraud di-ˈfrȯd 

dē-

defrauded; defrauding; defrauds

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 

dē-

noun

Synonyms

• cheat
• squeeze
• pluck
• hustle
• sting
• deceive
• bilk
• swindle
• screw
• victimize
• beat

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

The indictment accuses James of trying to defraud two financial institutions, OVM Financial and First Savings Bank. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025

In 2018 Marti DeLiemaof the University of Minnesota observed that the lack of a trustworthy network of friends or family best distinguished the older adults who had been defrauded from those who had not. —Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025

Wall Street Journal Charlie Javice was convicted of defrauding JPMorgan—but the bank is paying her legal bills. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025

Gumrukcu is accused of defrauding Davis for years. —Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for defraud

• abroad
• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod
• tripod

Kids Definition

defraud

verb

de·​fraud di-ˈfrȯd 

: to deprive of something by trickery, deception, or fraud

defrauder

di-ˈfrȯd-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

defraud

transitive verb

de·​fraud di-ˈfrȯd 

: to deprive of something by fraud

defrauder noun