as in extortion
the exaction of a grossly excessive charge for goods or services
the fleecing of the summer tourists seems to be a time-honored tradition on that resort island
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in cheating
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
swindlers who use the telephone to fleece senior citizens out of their savings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fleecing
Bob Marshall, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
Shaun Benward, 38, of Mississippi was charged with fleecing employees at the Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood during a December 2018 visit.
—William Morris, Des Moines Register, 11 Feb. 2026
The district also continues to grapple with the shadow of ex-superintendent Devon Horton, who faces federal charges of fleecing District 65 through a kickback scheme.
—Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
That gave her the opportunity to hide costs in fake invoices submitted by a close circle of vendors who collaborated with her in fleecing the charity’s funds.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
So congratulations on fleecing our state, and the city and the county of Boulder for more than $70 million when the deal could have been closed for $3 million to $5 million!
—Bob Marshall, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
Shaun Benward, 38, of Mississippi was charged with fleecing employees at the Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood during a December 2018 visit.
—William Morris, Des Moines Register, 11 Feb. 2026
The district also continues to grapple with the shadow of ex-superintendent Devon Horton, who faces federal charges of fleecing District 65 through a kickback scheme.
—Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
That gave her the opportunity to hide costs in fake invoices submitted by a close circle of vendors who collaborated with her in fleecing the charity’s funds.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleecing
Noun
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The greater media pressure when the victim is a foreigner creates more incentive for the police and prosecutors to investigate a kidnapping, extortion, disappearance, or homicide.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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Edward Escalante, 49, Edward Alvarenga, 27, Felipe De Los Angeles, 51, and Gonzalez are also charged with one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion (Hobbs Act), the DOJ said.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Billionaire Ronald Burkle is suing political power-broker Darius Anderson, accusing his former protégé and friend of cheating him out of millions of dollars.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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An Arsenal throw-in on their right-hand side, in the 14th minute, prompts chants of ‘Same old Arsenal, always cheating’ as the clock ticks away.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Furniture pads on the bottoms of heavy furniture help protect laminate flooring from scratches and gouging.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
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Soon after, Bradley stumbles on Zuri’s body and confronts Linda, resulting in a brutal fight that includes stabbing, scalp ripping, and some really upsetting eye gouging.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Other business leaders have trialed, but then dialed back, four-day work week experiments after seeing the strain of squeezing five days of work into four.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
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The business has been brutal for the last couple of years — the pandemic, the strikes, the profit squeezing that led to a bunch of reduced production.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Archive footage viewed on old VHS tapes and Super-8 film reveals that Cook was a talented and charismatic musician, plucking away at his Gibson while singing blues standards or original material.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Broten remembers Pavelich plucking his guitar and singing Neil Young songs on bus rides.—
Stephen Whyno,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those were full-time pharmacists, realtors and teachers hustling across Olympic ice for Team USA.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2026
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How does Mick Cronin survive this, sending his own player off the court after hustling hard on defense to get a piece of the ball but unfortunately too much contact and drew a foul.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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However, even with that stinging loss, Musero’s attorney is riding the wave generated by the lists coming out.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
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Chancellor Friedrich Merz suffered a setback when his conservatives lost a regional election to the Greens, a stinging blow for the unpopular German leader compounded by a jump in support for the far right.—
Michael Nienaber,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All the setup required was screwing in the legs.—
Noah Kaufman,
Architectural Digest,
7 Mar. 2026
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Nevertheless, on a clear if cold day the three walked through several inches of snow, screwing in the new signs.—
Jesse Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fleecing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleecing. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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