as in fraudulent
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
every new technology has brought with it a raft of defrauding schemes that make full use of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in swindling
Related Words
as in cheating
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defrauding
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
And what could be more legitimate of a cause for removing a governor of the nation's central bank—which is, among other things, the lender of last resort to the country's financial institutions—than the alleged defrauding of those very financial institutions?
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of people with allegedly defrauding state programs that offered meals to needy children, behavioral therapy for children with autism and assistance for seniors searching for housing.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Typically, the inspector general investigates schemes defrauding Medicare, improper payments -- such as to insurance companies to cover Medicaid members who had died -- and whether states are doing adequate oversight of providers in their borders.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Dozens in Minnesota, including many from the Somali community there, have been accused, charged and even convicted of defrauding the government out of money meant to feed children, house vulnerable citizens and more.
—Charlotte Hazard, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2026
Campbell has pled guilty to bank fraud and defrauding the federal government.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Diddy is now detained on the joint military base with the likes of ex-NBA star Sebastian Telfair (who was convicted in mid-2023 with over a dozen other players of defrauding the league’s healthcare plan for millions) and around 4,000 other inmates.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Chesley was accused of defrauding $42 million from his clients.
—Maia Anderson, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2025
Defendants Patrick and Charles Boyd were convicted of defrauding the Food and Drug Administration by using their wholesale business to buy more than $90 million of illicit pharmaceutical drugs in other parts of the country and distribute them to unwitting customers in South Florida.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
Her defrauding of the Foundation, however, surpassed that figure as FBI agents dug deeper into her theft.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
And what could be more legitimate of a cause for removing a governor of the nation's central bank—which is, among other things, the lender of last resort to the country's financial institutions—than the alleged defrauding of those very financial institutions?
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
An Orange County judge resigned Wednesday and declared his intent to plead guilty next week to defrauding a state fund out of thousands of dollars.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of people with allegedly defrauding state programs that offered meals to needy children, behavioral therapy for children with autism and assistance for seniors searching for housing.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Typically, the inspector general investigates schemes defrauding Medicare, improper payments -- such as to insurance companies to cover Medicaid members who had died -- and whether states are doing adequate oversight of providers in their borders.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Dozens in Minnesota, including many from the Somali community there, have been accused, charged and even convicted of defrauding the government out of money meant to feed children, house vulnerable citizens and more.
—Charlotte Hazard, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2026
Campbell has pled guilty to bank fraud and defrauding the federal government.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Diddy is now detained on the joint military base with the likes of ex-NBA star Sebastian Telfair (who was convicted in mid-2023 with over a dozen other players of defrauding the league’s healthcare plan for millions) and around 4,000 other inmates.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Chesley was accused of defrauding $42 million from his clients.
—Maia Anderson, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2025
Defendants Patrick and Charles Boyd were convicted of defrauding the Food and Drug Administration by using their wholesale business to buy more than $90 million of illicit pharmaceutical drugs in other parts of the country and distribute them to unwitting customers in South Florida.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrauding
Adjective
-
Such fraudulent science can slow medical progress and delay vital treatment, The Scientist reported, especially when, as in this case, journals rarely took steps to correct the record.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The illegality generated more than $1 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But like his predecessor, this Frankenstein is just as obsessed with immortality and cheating death through science.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Gen Z is 'monkey barring' — not cheating.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Multiple points of validation will help combat dishonest applicants, DEED Deputy Commissioner Evan Rowe told lawmakers at the time.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Thai Diner Yes, Thai Diner is technically in NoLita, but leaving it out would feel even more dishonest.—
Molly Barstein,
Vogue,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The Bagail 6-piece Compression Packing Cube Set is just $19 and a game-changer for squeezing extra outfits into a carry-on.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
To check for ripeness, start by squeezing the fruit—ripe mangos should give slightly under pressure without feeling overly soft or mushy.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The title-winning standard has been lower in recent years; City won it with 86, 93, 89 and 91 points between 2020-21 and 2023-24 and Liverpool with 84 points last season, but some of those totals give a false impression.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The month prior, she was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison for using marijuana while owning a firearm and making false statements about drug use, per the newspaper.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Students were hustling around campus, coming and going on the penultimate Saturday of the semester.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
15 Dec. 2025
-
The bubbling party scene in New York City was indeed a movie, and Puffy was hustling his way into the leading role.—
Essence,
Essence,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Regime change, as it has been practiced and discussed in international politics, refers to something far more ambitious and far more consequential than plucking out a single leader.—
Andrew Latham,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Regime change, as it has been practiced and discussed in international politics, refers to something far more ambitious and far more consequential than plucking out a single leader.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than rob the story of its teeth, this enabled me to explore the pain, loneliness and personal demons of my characters with sympathy rather than stinging bite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Seawater keeps the jellyfish’s stinging capsules inert.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defrauding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrauding. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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