as in cheated
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
Relevance
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 defrauded
The group allegedly defrauded victims of at least $50,000 that night.
—
Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Federal authorities launched an investigation, dubbed Operation Zhen Diagram, into a nationwide gambling ring allegedly involving members of the La Cosa Nostra crime families who allegedly defrauded unwitting victims of millions.
—Ryan Morik , Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Caleb MutuaVinícius Andrade BankingBankruptcy Top investment bank CEO says he was ‘defrauded’ by the bankruptcy that’s rattling Wall Street.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
In 2018 Marti DeLiemaof the University of Minnesota observed that the lack of a trustworthy network of friends or family best distinguished the older adults who had been defrauded from those who had not.
—Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
Still, defrauded Coloradans routinely lost thousands of dollars in these schemes.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Feeding Our Future defrauded the government of $250 million in federal funds from a pandemic-era meal program.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Ballmer has stated that he was defrauded by Sanberg, who has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of fraud (Aspiration is bankrupt).
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The suit accuses Haman of running an online retailer, Quba Pro Inc, that allegedly defrauded Cornerstone by raising money in a financing agreement and diverting the funds.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Federal authorities launched an investigation, dubbed Operation Zhen Diagram, into a nationwide gambling ring allegedly involving members of the La Cosa Nostra crime families who allegedly defrauded unwitting victims of millions.
—Ryan Morik , Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Caleb MutuaVinícius Andrade BankingBankruptcy Top investment bank CEO says he was ‘defrauded’ by the bankruptcy that’s rattling Wall Street.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
In 2018 Marti DeLiemaof the University of Minnesota observed that the lack of a trustworthy network of friends or family best distinguished the older adults who had been defrauded from those who had not.
—Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
Still, defrauded Coloradans routinely lost thousands of dollars in these schemes.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Feeding Our Future defrauded the government of $250 million in federal funds from a pandemic-era meal program.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Ballmer has stated that he was defrauded by Sanberg, who has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of fraud (Aspiration is bankrupt).
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The suit accuses Haman of running an online retailer, Quba Pro Inc, that allegedly defrauded Cornerstone by raising money in a financing agreement and diverting the funds.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrauded
Verb
-
James' office probed allegations that the organization inflated the former president's net worth by billions of dollars and cheated lenders and others with false and misleading financial statements.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Learn about the latest scam that has cheated companies out of millions.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While basic first aid can often ease the pain of a bee sting, according to the Mayo Clinic, those who are stung more than a dozen times can experience a more severe reaction, which includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and lightheadedness.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Considering that one cocktail could cost one hour of some employees’ wages, the removal of that free drink benefit stung even more, Quimby and Reber told Deadline.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pieces from Stock are often plucked by stylists for celebrity editorials for Vanity Fair, Esquire and GQ.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
This faux Dunhill Fir is designed to look and feel like a tree plucked straight off the lot, without the single-season lifespan or mess of shedding needles.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But Boberg, a freshman defender, hustled to the goal line to block the attempt.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Inside the final 51 seconds of regulation, Durham flung a pass to Proctor, who hustled all the way into the end zone to complete the 60-yard touchdown pass.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the eighth, the Dodgers squeezed two more out of Toronto’s bullpen to create a cushion for Yamamoto.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
But the program may still get squeezed by the sweeping cuts proposed across the government.—
Katie Thornton,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their hoods are covered with special plugs where 2,200 corals grown at the Miami Native Coral Lab in Allapattah will be screwed in.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The Broncos got screwed on an interference call that placed the ball on the 1-yard line.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In just two years Farm Bank had allegedly swindled some $250 million from 132,000 investors.—
Moisés Naím,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
This is a producer who swindled money endlessly and made life hell for his victims.—
Steve Belanger,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In fact, the term itself was an epithet throughout the founding era, a way to describe ignorant and easily deceived popular majorities, perpetually vulnerable to demagogues.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Of course someone like Denji would fall for it, and in a way, the desire to be deceived is actually an important aspect of romantic feelings.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defrauded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrauded. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share