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

Investigators said Clinton made 10 fraudulent credit adjustments between May and August totaling $86,107 from PNC's Regulation E Disputes General Ledgers and credited the money to her account. — CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

Of course, there’s a considerable difference between the fraudulent claims of a blood-testing start-up and questions surrounding a luxury house’s Christmas advertisement. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026

We were told that an overwhelming voting turnout would ensure that his fraudulent claims were debunked, and that is precisely how the American people responded. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Nov. 2026

Between March 2022 and January 2023, the individuals accessed the account and prepared and filed fraudulent Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Returns for Blacfoot LLC. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 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