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
News Desk, Artforum, 29 Apr. 2026
Two New Jersey residents pleaded guilty to running a years-long counterfeit art scheme that funneled fake works into the legitimate market, defrauding buyers of at least $2 million.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The center is charged with defrauding donors and making false statements to create bank accounts that were used to relay money to informants.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle Luther Davis pleaded guilty on Monday to defrauding investors by impersonating NFL players.
—Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
But the trial also carries risks for Musk, who last month was held liable by another jury for defrauding investors during his $44 billion takeover of Twitter in 2022.
—Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
The case became the most egregious in a string of allegations involving Colorado funeral homes as details emerged about their lavish spending and their pattern of defrauding customers.
—Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
In federal court, the two pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, including by defrauding the federal Small Business Administration for over $880,000 in pandemic relief funds.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
After the pardon, Schwartz still had to return to Arkansas in late December to serve nine months in prison for defrauding the state’s Medicaid program.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 20 Apr. 2026
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
Bankowski and Bankowska both face up to 20 years in prison for defrauding buyers out of at least $2 million.
—News Desk, Artforum, 29 Apr. 2026
Two New Jersey residents pleaded guilty to running a years-long counterfeit art scheme that funneled fake works into the legitimate market, defrauding buyers of at least $2 million.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
The center is charged with defrauding donors and making false statements to create bank accounts that were used to relay money to informants.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle Luther Davis pleaded guilty on Monday to defrauding investors by impersonating NFL players.
—Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
But the trial also carries risks for Musk, who last month was held liable by another jury for defrauding investors during his $44 billion takeover of Twitter in 2022.
—Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
The case became the most egregious in a string of allegations involving Colorado funeral homes as details emerged about their lavish spending and their pattern of defrauding customers.
—Colleen Slevin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
In federal court, the two pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, including by defrauding the federal Small Business Administration for over $880,000 in pandemic relief funds.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
After the pardon, Schwartz still had to return to Arkansas in late December to serve nine months in prison for defrauding the state’s Medicaid program.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrauding
Adjective
-
That’s why the scale of fraudulent hospice activity in California is so deeply concerning.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Yourex bragged on social media about the fraudulent votes in January 2022.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her lawyers, Giuseppe Iannaccone and Marcello Bana, have denied there was a case of grand larceny, which would include fraud and swindling.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When the cheating scandal happened, there was a groundswell of support from fans, a protectiveness over Long as a woman and as a cultural touchstone.—
Zeba Blay,
SELF,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Notice something small, then compliment it This one is almost cheating.—
Henna Pryor,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If the dishonest ballot language is approved, at least county residents have reasons to hope state courts will protect them.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
But Marking alleges, according to documents obtained by The Bee, that the board and former Superintendent Lisa Allen were well aware of the district’s financial picture when the contract was approved and that trustees have been dishonest about it in the months since.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Medical cost inflation surged, squeezing margins and forcing guidance lower, while Washington added uncertainty around reimbursements and oversight.—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, inflation has ticked higher yet again, squeezing budgets and leaving less room for aggressive repayment strategies.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But that confidence could harbor false hope, says Kelly Richardson, principal of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for offering community association advice, and a monthly contributing writer to the Southern California News Group.—
Amancai Biraben,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The indictment also charges Meade and West each with one count of conspiracy to obstruct and defeat the Internal Revenue Service, five counts of attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws and seven counts of aiding or assisting the filing of false documents, officials said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Taste of Baldwin Park creator David Merritt has been hustling in this part of town for decades, even before it was ranked among the city’s most desirable addresses.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Braves players worked on hustling first to third on a soft single to the outfield, or breaking toward home on a dribbler in the infield.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For some, working with soil evokes nostalgia for childhood summers, smelling thorny roses in bloom and plucking ripe tomatoes off the vine.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Brawley hires football coach After a months-long search, Brawley High School has hired a football coach, plucking Rick Stewart away from Calipatria.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defrauding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrauding. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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