Synonyms of cheat

cheat 1 of 2

verb

ˈchēt 

1

as in to misrepresent

to use dishonest methods to achieve a goal

students who cheat on tests end up never knowing anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misrepresent
• evade
• distort
• dodge
• fudge
• twist
• finagle
• elaborate
• crib
• pervert
• fake
• chicane
• falsify
• pad
• exaggerate
• stretch
• misstate
• misinterpret
• embellish
• warp
• color
• tamper (with)
• doctor
• embroider
• hedge
• magnify

2

as in to lie

to be sexually unfaithful

he suspects that his girlfriend is cheating on him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lie
• sleep
• philander
• step out
• screw around
• fornicate
• cat (around)
• play (around)
• mate
• copulate
• fool around
• womanize
• lust
• couple
• tomcat (around)
• make out

3

as in to disappoint

to fall short in satisfying the expectation or hope of

the daredevil survived his plunge over the falls with barely a scratch, having cheated death once again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disappoint
• fail
• let down
• upset
• displease
• deceive
• dissatisfy
• distress
• bum (out)
• delude
• disillusion
• mock
• disenchant
• discontent
• chagrin
• disgruntle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfy
• gratify
• content
• fulfill
• gladden

4

as in to squeeze

to rob by the use of trickery or threats

a despicable confidence man who heartlessly cheated elderly people out of their savings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• squeeze
• hustle
• pluck
• sting
• stick
• beat
• screw
• do
• deceive
• defraud
• swindle
• trick
• bleed
• victimize
• shortchange
• exploit
• bilk
• sucker
• diddle
• con
• mulct
• fiddle
• fool
• chouse
• cozen
• betray
• shake down
• short
• stiff
• nobble
• euchre
• rip off
• skin
• flimflam
• chisel
• fleece
• ream
• gaff
• rook
• take to the cleaners
• extort
• take for a ride
• skunk
• hose
• thimblerig
• do in
• wrench
• sell a bill of goods to
• gouge
• clip
• overcharge
• dupe
• nick
• wring
• soak
• wrest
• bitch
• milk
• rope (in)
• double-cross
• gull
• bamboozle
• fast-talk

cheat

2 of 2

noun

as in dodger

a dishonest person who uses clever means to cheat others out of something of value

a cheat at cards

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dodger
• shark
• cheater
• sharper
• swindler
• skinner
• confidence man
• bilk
• defrauder
• scammer
• chiseler
• phony
• fraudster
• trickster
• sharpie
• ringer
• scamster
• fox
• adventurer
• sneak
• cozener
• fakir
• bilker
• tricker
• hoaxer
• fake
• finagler
• sham
• pretender
• impostor
• faker
• charlatan
• knave
• rogue
• quack
• sneaker
• mountebank
• rascal
• double-crosser
• gamesman
• double-dealer
• bluffer
• schemer
• plotter
• prankster
• slicker
• cardsharp
• humbug
• quacksalver
• slick
• blackleg
• slickster
• slyboots
• fast-talker
• wheeler-dealer
• smoothy

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cheat contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cheat are cozen, defraud, and swindle. While all these words mean "to get something by dishonesty or deception," cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation.

cheated me out of a dollar

When can cozen be used instead of cheat?

The words cozen and cheat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

When is defraud a more appropriate choice than cheat?

The meanings of defraud and cheat largely overlap; however, defraud stresses depriving one of his or her rights and usually connotes deliberate perversion of the truth.

defrauded of her inheritance by an unscrupulous lawyer

Where would swindle be a reasonable alternative to cheat?

In some situations, the words swindle and cheat are roughly equivalent. However, swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence.

swindled of their savings by con artists

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cheat

Verb

About one year before Naroditsky's death, Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik accused him of cheating in online chess, repeatedly posting about the allegations on social media without providing evidence. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Experts, parents and educators have spent the past three years worrying that AI made cheating too easy. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2026

Noun

Topbag Travel Duffel Bag Bags like this one are my carry-on-only cheat code for extra storage. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026

Others might feel the author cheats here, leaving it up to the reader to decide. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026