Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cozen contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cozen are cheat, defraud, and swindle. While all these words mean "to get something by dishonesty or deception," cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

Where would cheat be a reasonable alternative to cozen?

The words cheat and cozen can be used in similar contexts, but cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation.

cheated me out of a dollar

When would defraud be a good substitute for cozen?

In some situations, the words defraud and cozen are roughly equivalent. 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

When can swindle be used instead of cozen?

While in some cases nearly identical to cozen, 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 cozen The point, however, is not to entertain the driver/employee but to cozen the owner. Dan Neil, WSJ, 19 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cozen
Verb
  • But appearances can be deceiving because there's a lot of bright side here.
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Trips down memory lane, especially when Star Wars video games are involved, can be deceiving.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • More wearable tech news: Are Halliday's AI smart glasses an amazing new wearable or surefire way to cheat?
    Adam Smith, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
  • In another trial, an AI even used the semantics of its programmers to reach its cheating phase.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Look for the producer, grape variety, region, and vintage, and don’t be fooled by flashy words.
    Emily Price, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Also, unlike its many imposters (and there are many similar looking wireless lamps out there, so don’t be fooled), the Poldina comes with a 1-year warranty on the battery and a 2-year warranty for any defects.
    Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • They were all plucked from Gerbi’s orbit of creatives.
    Rhonda Richford, WWD, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Leaving the ‘Touch of Gold’ Holly in the planter, pluck out the cool weather annuals to make room for their summer-friendly counterparts.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Phishing works by tricking the user, with no reliance on any particular operating system or browser.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Here are some alternative snacking options that can help trick your brain into feeling full.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Sea anemones provide anemonefish with shelter and a secure spawning site thanks to their stinging tentacles.
    Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Choosing Slotkin—a moderate who won Michigan's Senate race in November even as Trump carried the state—to deliver the Democratic response may signal a party shift after last year's stinging losses in the general election.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The international order forged after World War II is imploding, squeezed on all sides by the return of strongmen, nationalism and spheres of influence — with President Trump leading the charge.
    Zachary Basu, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Goldman Sachs previously estimated that these tariffs could increase inflation by 1 percent while squeezing U.S. company profits and risking retaliatory measures from other nations.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • That s–t just kinda stuck with me, from the n—as that used to hustle and hang out with me.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Garita, on the other hand, hustled for loose balls and rebounds, finishing with just four points but a team-high 10 rebounds.
    Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cozen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cozen. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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