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

• crooked
• deceitful
• defrauding
• dishonest
• double-dealing
• false

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

In 2024, Nicolás Maduro won his reelection in a race contested as fraudulent by the opposition. —Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 19 May 2025

Real examples: Six people were charged with attempting to steal $80 million through fraudulent checks tied to COVID-19 relief funds. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2025

Notices on both the FBI and FDA websites over the last few months warn of fraudulent drugs purporting to be Ozempic and several other weight loss medications. —Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Supporters of the plan, however, argue that work requirements will foster employment, reduce fraudulent claims, and improve personal responsibility. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

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