1
as in scams
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
thousands of people lost money when the investment scheme turned out to be a fraud
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in fakes
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise
the "blind" panhandler was just a fraud trying to con holiday shoppers out of their money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 frauds
The frauds have grown nearly in lockstep with the growth of the industry.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
There is absolutely no evidence that frauds of this type or anywhere near this scale are happening in any of the other four states, or frankly that there is a large volume of as-yet-undiscovered fraud in Minnesota itself.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Wolchek's on-air specialty is exposing scams and frauds in the Motor City region.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Although scammers and frauds have infiltrated the world of social enterprise, legit companies can be uplifting for all involved.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
He was arrested in 2022 for an eight-count indictment charging him with the 2016 murder of his mother, Linda Carman, on the high seas, and related frauds to obtain family and insurance funds.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 21 Nov. 2025
Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Notice how these two Third World frauds are in federal custody, not state.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
In the knee-jerk world of modern football, yesterday’s world-beaters are tomorrow’s frauds.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
There is absolutely no evidence that frauds of this type or anywhere near this scale are happening in any of the other four states, or frankly that there is a large volume of as-yet-undiscovered fraud in Minnesota itself.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Wolchek's on-air specialty is exposing scams and frauds in the Motor City region.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Although scammers and frauds have infiltrated the world of social enterprise, legit companies can be uplifting for all involved.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
He was arrested in 2022 for an eight-count indictment charging him with the 2016 murder of his mother, Linda Carman, on the high seas, and related frauds to obtain family and insurance funds.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 21 Nov. 2025
Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Notice how these two Third World frauds are in federal custody, not state.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
In the knee-jerk world of modern football, yesterday’s world-beaters are tomorrow’s frauds.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frauds
Noun
-
Names, email addresses, birth dates and purchase history can be used to create highly convincing scams.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The report showed romance scams had the highest median dollar loss of all scam types at $6,099.—
Barbara White,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For now, the small-cap breakout to a new high should be respected after so many head fakes since 2021.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In the meantime, prepare and arm your self and your company to better spot the fakes—start with video.—
Dean DeBiase,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The set includes two matching shams, comes in 12 colors, and is on sale for up to 80 percent off.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The three-piece set comes with a down-alternative comforter and two pillow shams made of 95 GSM polyester for a lightweight, breathable fabric that keeps moisture at bay—perfect for all-season use.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Cult of the Beaver has to fend off pretenders.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Momentum hardens, vulnerabilities are exposed and the gap between contenders and pretenders is out in the open.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
First up was Ben Shapiro, who described Tucker Carlson and others as grifters and charlatans, guilty of misleading their audiences with falsehoods and conspiracy theories.—
Jonathan J. Cooper,
Fortune,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
To tell the truly venomous from the fakers, there are a couple details to help distinguish the two.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to the Federal Trade Commission, imposters posing as government agencies were one of the top reported scams in the Arizona, costing consumers more than $20 million in 2025.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
And when stuck in this uncomfortable space, people who feel like impostors are likely to become defensive and feel pressured to be a hero.—
John M. LaVelle,
The Conversation,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But let’s circle back to TV‘s patron saint of affable, oft–insidious quacks.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Automatic ducking doesn't add quacks to your soundtrack.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frauds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frauds. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
