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

Massive protests broke out following the 2020 elections, which were widely denounced as fraudulent. —Yuras Karmanau, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

The fraudulent notes may have a case number, a judge’s name, a hearing date, and even a Boston Municipal Court address and Commonwealth seal. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026

Trump has granted clemency to all manner of criminals from violent January 6 rioters to corrupt politicians and fraudulent businessmen. —Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026

Authorities said the investigation began after the Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging notified police about fraudulent charges on the man's banking account. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 6 Mar. 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