Synonyms of cheats

cheats 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cheat

1

as in misrepresents

to use dishonest methods to achieve a goal

students who cheat on tests end up never knowing anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misrepresents
• evades
• distorts
• fudges
• dodges
• twists
• finagles
• perverts
• chicanes
• cribs
• elaborates
• fakes
• doctors
• falsifies
• colors
• pads
• stretches
• misstates
• misinterprets
• warps
• exaggerates
• tampers (with)
• embellishes
• hedges
• embroiders
• magnifies

2

as in lies

to be sexually unfaithful

he suspects that his girlfriend is cheating on him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lies
• sleeps
• philanders
• screws around
• steps out
• plays (around)
• mates
• cats (around)
• copulates
• fornicates
• fools around
• lusts
• couples
• womanizes
• tomcats (around)
• makes out

3

as in disappoints

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

• disappoints
• fails
• dissatisfies
• lets down
• displeases
• upsets
• disillusions
• distresses
• disenchants
• deceives
• bums (out)
• deludes
• disgruntles
• mocks
• discontents
• chagrins

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contents
• satisfies
• fulfills
• gratifies
• gladdens

4

as in hustles

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

• hustles
• plucks
• squeezes
• stings
• tricks
• sticks
• beats
• screws
• defrauds
• does
• swindles
• deceives
• suckers
• exploits
• victimizes
• bleeds
• fiddles
• mulcts
• shortchanges
• fools
• bilks
• diddles
• shorts
• skins
• shakes down
• rips off
• cons
• cozens
• stiffs
• gaffs
• betrays
• chouses
• chisels
• fleeces
• reams
• nobbles
• flimflams
• rooks
• euchres
• skunks
• thimblerigs
• takes to the cleaners
• does in
• hoses
• extorts
• wrenches
• clips
• takes for a ride
• sells a bill of goods to
• overcharges
• gouges
• dupes
• nicks
• milks
• bitches
• soaks
• wrings
• wrests
• gulls
• bamboozles
• double-crosses
• ropes (in)
• fast-talks

cheats

2 of 2

noun

plural of cheat

as in dodgers

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

a cheat at cards

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dodgers
• sharks
• cheaters
• swindlers
• sharpers
• chiselers
• skinners
• scammers
• defrauders
• fraudsters
• phonies
• confidence men
• tricksters
• ringers
• sharpies
• scamsters
• adventurers
• foxes
• fakirs
• trickers
• hoaxers
• cozeners
• bilks
• bilkers
• finaglers
• fakes
• sneakers
• pretenders
• sneaks
• fakers
• charlatans
• impostors
• knaves
• rogues
• quacks
• shams
• humbugs
• mountebanks
• rascals
• double-crossers
• schemers
• bluffers
• plotters
• pranksters
• double-dealers
• gamesmen
• smoothies
• slicksters
• blacklegs
• quacksalvers
• cardsharps
• slyboots
• slickers
• slicks
• fast-talkers
• wheeler-dealers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cheats

Verb

The move, orchestrated by Everett to satisfy the demands of the company’s top-dollar backers, cheats Michael out of his stock options and equity in the company. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Any forward who cheats for defence, as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has for much of his career, will play an elevated role on a Babcock team. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Though Lesnar rarely cheats to win, Femi isn’t going to lose clean. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

The top-two primary system also cheats voters by pushing all candidates onto one primary ballot. — John Seiler, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026

Inspired by real stories, Eva Marcille portrays a wife who miraculously cheats death after her husband’s (Tyler Lepley) betrayal in Pushed Off a Plane and Survived airing on February 28. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026

Noun

Democrats passed significant funding for the IRS to go after wealthy tax cheats, which was repealed by Republicans. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

The Trasks encounter a wide swath of citizens, haggling with sneaky cheats, exploiting innocent fools, and befriending big-hearted neighbors. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026

On Saturday, Bristol City fans sang a song that referred to Southampton as cheats in the opening seconds of their Championship game. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Sometimes, the fourth-grader asks Robo-Dad for Minecraft cheats. — Ella Chakarian, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2026

Her most notable reporting has been about taxes, including exposing billionaire tax cheats and writing cover stories on tax shelters (corporate and individual), tax evasion, and tax policy. — Forbes Membership, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026

Migrant welfare cheats exposed! — The Hill, 5 May 2026

Iran lies, cheats, blusters and bullies. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 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