fraud

noun

\ ˈfrȯd

Definition of fraud

1a : deceit, trickery specifically : intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right was accused of credit card fraud

b : an act of deceiving or misrepresenting : trick automobile insurance frauds

2a : a person who is not what he or she pretends to be : impostor He claimed to be a licensed psychologist, but he turned out to be a fraud. also : one who defrauds : cheat

b : one that is not what it seems or is represented to be The UFO picture was proved to be a fraud.

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing fraud Learn More About fraud

Choose the Right Synonym for fraud

deception, fraud, double-dealing, subterfuge, trickery mean the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives. deception may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating or merely tactical resource. magicians are masters of deception fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice. indicted for fraud double-dealing suggests treachery or at least action contrary to a professed attitude. a go-between suspected of double-dealing subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end. obtained the papers by subterfuge trickery implies ingenious acts intended to dupe or cheat. resorted to trickery to gain their ends

imposture, fraud, sham, fake, humbug, counterfeit mean a thing made to seem other than it is. 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 fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth. the diary was exposed as a fraud sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action. condemned the election as a sham 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 humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent. creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable. 20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

Examples of fraud in a Sentence

He was found guilty of bank fraud. He was the victim of an elaborate fraud. He claimed he was a licensed psychologist, but he turned out to be a fraud. The UFO picture was proved to be a fraud.

Recent Examples on the Web Widespread voter fraud did not occur in Milwaukee in 2020. — Molly Beck, Journal Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2022 Two of his three challengers, Gail Golec of Scottsdale and Thayer Verschoor of Gilbert, have made false statements of widespread election fraud in the 2020 presidential election. — Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 Trump’s claims of widespread election fraud, and complained that Wolf should have moved faster to force Krebs out. — Carol D. Leonnig And Maria Sacchetti, Anchorage Daily News, 29 July 2022 Trump’s claims of widespread election fraud, and complained that Wolf should have moved faster to force Krebs out. — Maria Sacchetti, Washington Post, 29 July 2022 Neither state nor independent reviews found evidence of widespread fraud. — Dan Kaufman, The New Yorker, 25 July 2022 The Justice Department said there were no signs of widespread fraud, and a bipartisan consortium of local, state and federal election officials declared the 2020 race the most secure U.S. election in history. — Scott Patterson, WSJ, 21 July 2022 But after the election, some of Mr. Trump’s outside advisers came up with a plan to create slates of alternate electors in swings states like Georgia, falsely claiming that widespread fraud had disrupted the election in those states. — New York Times, 19 July 2022 No evidence has been found of widespread fraud or error in the results. — AZCentral.com, 15 July 2022 See More

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

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Dictionary Entries Near fraud

fraucht

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Last Updated

6 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Fraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fraud. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for fraud

fraud

noun

\ ˈfrȯd

Kids Definition of fraud

1 : trickery, deceit They got the money by fraud.

2 : an act of deceiving : trick Investigators uncovered the fraud.

3 : a person who pretends to be what he or she is not You're not Santa Claus—you're a fraud.

fraud

noun

Legal Definition of fraud

1a : any act, expression, omission, or concealment calculated to deceive another to his or her disadvantage specifically : a misrepresentation or concealment with reference to some fact material to a transaction that is made with knowledge of its falsity or in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity and with the intent to deceive another and that is reasonably relied on by the other who is injured thereby

b : the affirmative defense of having acted in response to a fraud

2 : the crime or tort of committing fraud convicted of securities fraud — see also misrepresentation

Note: A tort action based on fraud is also referred to as an action of deceit.

— actual fraud

: fraud committed with the actual intent to deceive and thereby injure another

— called also fraud in fact

— compare constructive fraud in this entry

— collateral fraud

: extrinsic fraud in this entry

— constructive fraud

: conduct that is considered fraud under the law despite the absence of an intent to deceive because it has the same consequences as an actual fraud would have and it is against public interests (as because of the violation of a public or private trust or confidence, the breach of a fiduciary duty, or the use of undue influence)

— called also legal fraud

— compare actual fraud in this entry

— equitable fraud

: constructive fraud in this entry —used especially in New Jersey

— extrinsic fraud

: fraud (as that involved in making a false offer of compromise) that induces one not to present a case in court or deprives one of the opportunity to be heard also : fraud that is not involved in the actual issues presented to a court and that prevents a full and fair hearing

— called also collateral fraud

— compare intrinsic fraud in this entry

— fraud in fact

: actual fraud in this entry

— fraud in law

: fraud that is presumed to have occurred in light of the circumstances irrespective of intent to deceive

— fraud in the factum

: fraud in which the deception causes the other party to misunderstand the nature of the transaction in which he or she is engaging especially with regard to the contents of an instrument (as a contract or promissory note)

— called also fraud in the execution

— compare fraud in the inducement in this entry

— fraud in the inducement

: fraud in which the deception leads the other party to engage in a transaction the nature of which he or she understands — compare fraud in the factum in this entry

— fraud on the court

: fraud involving conduct that undermines the integrity of the judicial process (as by improperly influencing a judge, jury, or other court personnel) also : extrinsic fraud in this entry

— identity fraud

: the unauthorized use of another's means of identification (as name or social security number) to commit fraud

— intrinsic fraud

: fraud (as by the use of false or forged documents, false claims, or perjured testimony) that deceives the trier of fact and results in a judgment in favor of the party perpetrating the fraud — compare extrinsic fraud in this entry

— legal fraud

1 : constructive fraud in this entry

2 : actual fraud in this entry —used especially in New Jersey

— mail fraud

: fraud committed by use of the postal service especially as described in title 18 section 1341 of the U.S. Code

— wire fraud

: fraud committed by using a means of electronic communication (as a telephone) — see also Wire Fraud Act