fraudulent

adjective

fraud·​u·​lent ˈfrȯ-jə-lənt 

: characterized by, based on, or done by fraud : deceitful

fraudulent use of a credit card

fraudulent claims for unemployment compensation

—Wall Street Journal

fraudulently adverb

fraudulentness noun

Synonyms of fraudulent

• dishonest
• false
• deceptive

Examples of fraudulent in a Sentence

Corrupt leaders were chosen in a fraudulent election.

fraudulent use of a credit card

the victim of a fraudulent scheme

Recent Examples on the Web

Attention surrounding investigations into fraud began in response to the fraud crisis with Minnesota’s social services programs, where fraudulent rings had stolen billions of taxpayer dollars for personal gains. —Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 17 May 2026

Prosecutors said investigators uncovered at least one additional victim and expressed concern that Carty could resume fraudulent activity after his release from prison. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026

Contact each creditor or debt collector associated with a fraudulent account. —Miranda Marquit, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026

Upon being taken into custody, officials said Werstine confessed to his true identity after he was allegedly found with fraudulent documentation and admitted to entering Panama illegally in 2005. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fraudulent

adjective

fraud·​u·​lent ˈfrȯ-jə-lənt 

: based on or done by fraud

fraudulently adverb

fraudulentness noun

Legal Definition

fraudulent

adjective

fraud·​u·​lent

: characterized by, based on, or done by fraud compare deceptive, false, misleading

fraudulently adverb