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Definition of cheatnext
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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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cheat

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noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cheat
Verb
Such a regimen may not enable you to cheat death. Jordan D. Metzl, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026 The state has intervened in districts for reasons such as fiscal mismanagement, cheating scandals and consistently failing academic performance at a campus. Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
For Bautista, a true cheat meal would mean going all in on pizza. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026 The world is full of bad actors—cheats, liars, tyrants, sickos—who are, ultimately, mere human beings; at least, this was how rationality would have it. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheat
Verb
  • The case stems from allegations the rooftop solar company materially misrepresented certain terms of power purchase agreements or failed to make adequate disclosures that resulted in consumers being misled.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
  • The president has consistently misrepresented his tariffs, claiming despite evidence to the contrary that foreign governments would pay them and that the revenues would be sufficient to pay down the national debt and give taxpayers a dividend check.
    Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In another sequence, PM01 lies flat on its back, face up, before smoothly transitioning back to a standing position.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Spray a 9-inch round springform pan with baking spray, lie the bottom with parchment paper, and give it one more spritz with baking spray, then pour in the batter.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The 30-year-old said that the whirlwind experience — being traded, shaving his bushy beard, disappointing his new team and getting demoted in less than a week’s time — taught him a lot about himself.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
  • And needless to say, the preview night did not disappoint.
    Savannah Hanoum, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Its basic ingredients include tequila, lime juice (ideally freshly squeezed), orange liqueur like triple sec, and usually salt on the rim.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Many are no doubt operating with the salary-cap space required to squeeze an extension for McDuffie into their budget.
    Sam McDowell February 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Almost all other passengers dine at the Britannia Restaurant, and there’s also a buffet restaurant serving international cuisine, with options for vegans, vegetarians and dairy dodgers.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2026
  • But my collection intentionally ignored the fraudulent exploits of billionaire heirs, tax dodgers and corporate magnates — defense contracts, government lobbying, bank accounts in Switzerland, shell companies in Panama, citizenship of Antigua and political asylum in London.
    Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • An all-cash purchase avoids scrutiny from financial institutions and evades mandatory reporting.
    Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 22 Feb. 2026
  • What emerged, Jackson told the court Thursday, was the portrait of a transient and calculating offender who operated across multiple states and evaded law enforcement for years.
    Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • His company is best known for a meditation and sleep app that has been downloaded by 180 million consumers.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Colin cooks Ray meals, sleeps on the floor while Ray takes the bed, lets Ray shave his hair off, and wears a lock on a chain around his neck.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Undermanned Sacramento hustled its way back into the game and trailed by just one with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
  • As wildfires burned hundreds of acres of Kansas prairie this week, TikTok users grabbed phones and cameras to record images of ash falling like snow, cattle being hustled to safety, firefighters in farm fields and other images from the emergency.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cheat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheat. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

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