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
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Recent Examples of defrauded
In 2006, a joint investigation run by the FBI and IRS – Operation Bullpen – busted a nationwide forgery ring that defrauded collectors of more than $100 million, and just last year, an Indiana man admitted to selling some $350 million worth of fake gear over the span of 20 years.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Authorities said Kates defrauded the state Department of Labor of $217,056 by filing fraudulent unemployment applications with the agency for her family, acquaintances, and others, from March 2020 through May 2021.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
Things eventually come to a head back in Cairo, where local police arrest Roper and his team, only for the enraged buyers, who were defrauded due to Pine's intervention, to seize the convoy.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Tourists seeking to visit the Statue of Liberty were defrauded daily by unscrupulous ticket-hawkers pitching water tours departing miles away that charge high prices and can’t land on Liberty Island.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Pandemic relief fraud The OIG reported closing two cases in fiscal year 2025 involving former CPS principals who defrauded pandemic relief programs, including one who received more than $41,000 in loans on top of her six-figure salary.
—Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The state has already admitted to being defrauded of more than $55 billion in recent years by people who may not have been eligible for jobless claims.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 5 Jan. 2026
Court records reviewed by the Minnesota Star Tribune, which has covered the story for more than a decade, indicate the amount defrauded is closer to $218 million.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025
The group allegedly defrauded victims of at least $50,000 that night.
—Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Authorities said Kates defrauded the state Department of Labor of $217,056 by filing fraudulent unemployment applications with the agency for her family, acquaintances, and others, from March 2020 through May 2021.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
Things eventually come to a head back in Cairo, where local police arrest Roper and his team, only for the enraged buyers, who were defrauded due to Pine's intervention, to seize the convoy.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Tourists seeking to visit the Statue of Liberty were defrauded daily by unscrupulous ticket-hawkers pitching water tours departing miles away that charge high prices and can’t land on Liberty Island.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Pandemic relief fraud The OIG reported closing two cases in fiscal year 2025 involving former CPS principals who defrauded pandemic relief programs, including one who received more than $41,000 in loans on top of her six-figure salary.
—Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The state has already admitted to being defrauded of more than $55 billion in recent years by people who may not have been eligible for jobless claims.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 5 Jan. 2026
Court records reviewed by the Minnesota Star Tribune, which has covered the story for more than a decade, indicate the amount defrauded is closer to $218 million.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025
The group allegedly defrauded victims of at least $50,000 that night.
—Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrauded
Verb
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After the Astros cheated to win the 2017 World Series, the Dodgers didn’t face them again until 2020.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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Bondi forgave a crime that had put people’s lives at risk and cheated the government of vaccine doses that could have been given to others.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dosunmu plucked the ball away after it was fumbled by Norman Powell, who crashed to the ground as Matas Buzelis blew past him.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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The 2009 drama was based on Michael Lewis’ 2006 book of the same name, which tracked the story of football star Michael Oher, who was plucked from homelessness and poverty when taken in by wealthy couple Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The criticism stung deeper coming from someone who avoided Vietnam military service.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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His sarcasm stung almost daily, but the winning followed weekly.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Toronto hustled to a 14-point advantage before settling for a 32-24 lead after one quarter.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
17 Jan. 2026
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Fiala hustled back to block Eichel’s shot, but Eichel recovered it to find Stone on the doorstep for an uncontested winner.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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European automakers face a volatile year, squeezed by weak markets, a lack of profitability, uncertain European emissions regulations, and pressure for restructuring and mergers, while rushing to electrify and defend against burgeoning Chinese competition.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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On a typical day, Troy would have been getting ready to go to sleep on one of the two sets of bunk beds that had been squeezed into the kids’ bedroom at home.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There are other complications, of course — typical Marvel stuff — but even without them, Simon is still screwed.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
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That doesn’t mean you’re screwed if your job is highly repetitive.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An Alpharetta man pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges of wire fraud in connection with an investment and fake University of Georgia ticket scheme that prosecutors said swindled people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.—
David Aaro,
AJC.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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In 2016, it was revealed that a con man had swindled Nicole out of $10 million.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Challengers should give Marylanders the option to choose a new direction and remove the need to confront the painful reality that they were deceived.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Jan. 2026
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Trump told people that Rupert deceived him.—
Gabriel Sherman,
Vanity Fair,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defrauded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrauded. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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