as in fraudulent
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
every new technology has brought with it a raft of defrauding schemes that make full use of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in swindling
Related Words
as in cheating
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
senior citizens generally were too smart to fall for the fast-talking salesman's attempts to defraud them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defrauding
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
And what could be more legitimate of a cause for removing a governor of the nation's central bank—which is, among other things, the lender of last resort to the country's financial institutions—than the alleged defrauding of those very financial institutions?
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Jake Shore, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
He is accused of defrauding the Waterbury Marriott of approximately $111,000.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Snyder asked for a new trial on his conviction for defrauding the IRS in federal court filings in October 2025.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
One of those companies, HD Entertainment, was run by Peter Pham, who has been charged by federal prosecutors with Do in the separate $10 million scheme defrauding the county.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Officers were tasked with combating what officials said was a rise in thefts, people spending money obtained by defrauding the state’s unemployment system and quality of life issues like loud music and the smell of marijuana drifting into stores, according to a 2021 Times investigation.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Robert Clifton, who was engaged in multiple civil lawsuits for allegedly defrauding investors of real estate projects, is currently in federal custody.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
In the posts, de Hek called out Goliath as a Ponzi scheme defrauding its investors.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
Her defrauding of the Foundation, however, surpassed that figure as FBI agents dug deeper into her theft.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
And what could be more legitimate of a cause for removing a governor of the nation's central bank—which is, among other things, the lender of last resort to the country's financial institutions—than the alleged defrauding of those very financial institutions?
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
She was hired by AllHere’s former CEO, Joanna Smith-Griffin, who was charged in November 2024 with allegedly defrauding investors out of $10 million.
—Jake Shore, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
He is accused of defrauding the Waterbury Marriott of approximately $111,000.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Snyder asked for a new trial on his conviction for defrauding the IRS in federal court filings in October 2025.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
One of those companies, HD Entertainment, was run by Peter Pham, who has been charged by federal prosecutors with Do in the separate $10 million scheme defrauding the county.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Officers were tasked with combating what officials said was a rise in thefts, people spending money obtained by defrauding the state’s unemployment system and quality of life issues like loud music and the smell of marijuana drifting into stores, according to a 2021 Times investigation.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Robert Clifton, who was engaged in multiple civil lawsuits for allegedly defrauding investors of real estate projects, is currently in federal custody.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
In the posts, de Hek called out Goliath as a Ponzi scheme defrauding its investors.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrauding
Adjective
-
Transfers made after a dispute becomes foreseeable can be challenged as fraudulent conveyances.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Criminals look for confusion around tax rules, new programs or trending online advice and use that uncertainty to push fraudulent claims or steal personal information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her lawyers, Giuseppe Iannaccone and Marcello Bana, have denied there was a case of grand larceny, which would include fraud and swindling.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The incident came a couple of weeks after the sport was in the headlines during the Olympics as the Canadian team was accused of cheating.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Billionaire Ronald Burkle is suing political power-broker Darius Anderson, accusing his former protégé and friend of cheating him out of millions of dollars.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This is dishonest and partisan.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
-
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.—
Justin Callais,
Twin Cities,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The lady beetles emerging in spring actually entered your home in the fall, squeezing through small cracks to overwinter inside walls, attics, and other sheltered spaces.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Equipped with a deep high-rise waistband featuring internal power mesh, Icebreaker has engineered these leggings to provide a bit of extra compression without over-squeezing.—
Harry Spampinato,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Chapman is charged with making a false statement during a firearm purchase and engaging in the business of firearms dealing without a license.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Thomas Edward Manfredi, 33, is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and making a false police report, according to an arrest warrant.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Those were full-time pharmacists, realtors and teachers hustling across Olympic ice for Team USA.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Archive footage viewed on old VHS tapes and Super-8 film reveals that Cook was a talented and charismatic musician, plucking away at his Gibson while singing blues standards or original material.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Broten remembers Pavelich plucking his guitar and singing Neil Young songs on bus rides.—
Stephen Whyno,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defrauding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrauding. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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