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
  • Looks can be deceiving, Cali said.
    Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
  • There is some relief on the way, but do not be deceived.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In June 2009, Kate filed for divorce following cheating allegations surrounding Jon.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Park Min-young played a timid wife seeking revenge on her cheating man in Marry My Husband.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hurricanes explained by Ginger Zee Don't be fooled by the lack of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Basin.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • After driving his team to the 1-yard line, Fields fooled the entire Steelers defense on a fourth down, faking a handoff and then high-stepping into the end zone untouched to take a 32-31 lead.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There may be even greater reasons to put an ad that plucks the heartstrings in front of a broader crowd.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Through the BirdReturns farmlands program, late-summer fields are filled with a shallow 2- to 4-inch depth, allowing shorebirds to pluck bugs from the mud beneath the water.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Now the abductees are required to trick others in turn.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In the hacking campaigns Proofpoint analyzed, cybercriminals attempted to trick users into downloading and installing Stealerium as an attachment or a web link, luring victims with typical bait like a fake payment or invoice.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This interaction damages skin cells and can trigger irritation, redness, stinging or burning.
    Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Sherry recalls one instance that stung in particular, when a friend pointed out his hair loss at a social gathering.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The shakeups are the latest at a time when restaurants are squeezed between a labor shortage, rising food prices and a loss of customers as diners cut back on spending.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
  • For now, the three youngest each sleep in their own pack-and-plays squeezed into their parents’ bedroom.
    Jeff Truesdell, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of hustling for one-day bookings, Patel engineered a system where one client often meant three to five events—maximizing return and loyalty.
    Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Farnaz Farjam, one of the show’s executive producers, told Deadline that the production hustled to find a way to capture all three elements.
    Peter White, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Cozen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cozen. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!