COZEN Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

cozen

verb

ˈkə-zən

Definition of cozen next

as in to deceive

to cause to believe what is untrue cozened several elderly ladies into believing that he was intending marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cheat

to rob by the use of trickery or threats cozened scores of people by persuading them to hand over funds that he would "invest"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

He was also accused of deceiving escrow agents to secure the release of pre-construction condo deposits and then misappropriated those funds for personal expenses unrelated to the developments.

— Jay Weaver June 6, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
The Allies went to extraordinary lengths to deceive the enemy, suggesting that the attack would focus on the Pas-de-Calais, the narrowest point of the English Channel.

— Kevin Maurer, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026