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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

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
Dawn Allenby seemed annoyed too, though that was possibly because she’d been cheated out of those extra moments in his arms. Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026 Their reward was to be cheated. Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
The murders themselves come across as side quests in a video game, complete with cheat codes and drug references. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026 Productivity is the cheat code for a more prosperous society. Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheat
Verb
  • Although uncommon, some public figures and health professionals have claimed that the vaccines could cause cancer despite ample contradictory evidence, often by misinterpreting or misrepresenting studies.
    Dannell D. Boatman, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Hiding or misrepresenting income, or falsifying dependents or deductions, is a criminal offense that can result in prison time.
    Dan Avery, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And although the Catholic Church was headquartered in Rome, Christians were keenly aware that the geographic center of their faith lay elsewhere.
    Sarah Kozlowski, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • We'd get inspired by the show and lay a brick path in the backyard or plant little flowers.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Relatives of a family of four killed in a car crash in San Francisco are angry and disappointed by the sentence handed down to the driver on Friday afternoon.
    Da Lin, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Day one of March Madness did not disappoint.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The three of us squeezed into our bedroom closet and huddled over my phone.
    Amanda Peet, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Oil prices would continue to soar, while fertilizer, generic drugs, helium and other products dependent on the strait would grow scarce, squeezing the American economy and world economy alike.
    Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 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
  • Israel's military says Iran is firing cluster bombs that can evade some air defenses and scatter submunitions across multiple locations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
  • The driver, 21-year-old Joel Gandarilla, was hospitalized and faces a charge of evading detention with a vehicle, according to the Police Department’s online arrest records.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • With rooms that sleep up to six, a free continental breakfast every morning, and pet-friendly accommodations, there's plenty to like at Badlands Frontier Cabins.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The layout includes a fold-away kitchen gallery with a wine rack, am entertainment area with an L-shape sofa that converts to a bed, a spacious bathroom with a stand-up shower, and a main sleeping area with a zero-gravity bed (a schematics image suggests the vehicle comfortably sleeps four).
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Two snakes brought to her school for a Lyceum program got out of their glass boxes, sending students scrambling to stand on chairs, keepers racing to find the creatures, and teachers trying to hustle kids out of the auditorium.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Meanwhile, McCutchen walked for the fourth straight game and beat out an infield single, hustling hard to first on a squibber down the third base line.
    Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cheat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheat. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

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