Synonyms of swindle

swindle 1 of 2

noun

as in scam

an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value

identity theft has become one of the most frequent and feared swindles of our time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scam
• fraud
• con
• scheme
• hoax
• flimflam
• sting
• bunco
• shell game
• fiddle
• trick
• hustle
• device
• racket
• cross
• counterfeit
• stratagem
• Ponzi scheme
• fix
• ploy
• pyramid scheme
• dodge
• rip-off
• forgery
• jig
• sham
• gouging
• overcharging
• fake
• phony
• gimmick
• wile
• soaking
• sleight
• three-card monte
• humbug
• thimblerig

swindle

2 of 2

verb

ˈswin-dᵊl 

as in to cheat

to rob by the use of trickery or threats

hundreds of people were swindled out of their savings, and all they had to show for it were fake land deeds

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cheat
• squeeze
• sting
• pluck
• hustle
• defraud
• deceive
• bilk
• screw
• stick
• beat
• victimize
• con
• trick
• flimflam
• mulct
• sucker
• do
• fleece
• bleed
• exploit
• shortchange
• nobble
• shake down
• cozen
• chouse
• fiddle
• skin
• euchre
• diddle
• gaff
• chisel
• rook
• ream
• stiff
• rip off
• short
• fool
• skunk
• betray
• extort
• hose
• take for a ride
• take to the cleaners
• thimblerig
• do in
• wrench
• gouge
• sell a bill of goods to
• dupe
• overcharge
• clip
• wring
• nick
• double-cross
• wrest
• gull
• soak
• milk
• bamboozle
• rope (in)
• bitch
• fast-talk

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swindle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swindle are cheat, cozen, and defraud. While all these words mean "to get something by dishonesty or deception," swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence.

swindled of their savings by con artists

When would cheat be a good substitute for swindle?

The words cheat and swindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation.

cheated me out of a dollar

When might cozen be a better fit than swindle?

The synonyms cozen and swindle are sometimes interchangeable, but cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

When could defraud be used to replace swindle?

The meanings of defraud and swindle largely overlap; however, defraud stresses depriving one of his or her rights and usually connotes deliberate perversion of the truth.

defrauded of her inheritance by an unscrupulous lawyer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of swindle

Noun

As part of the swindle, McCabe promised to transfer the proceeds from the sale of the yacht to the victim, who according to court filings was a widower who had no family support. — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026

Yusuf was charged with one count of racketeering and six counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle in June 2024 in connection with fraudulent claims submitted by Promise Health Services to Medicaid for reimbursement. — Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Verb

Far from fighting scams in America’s federal health system, this president has granted clemency to hundreds of people convicted of health care fraud, including more than 10 executives convicted of specifically swindling Medicare. — Max Taves, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

In April, Jones, 49, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role to defraud major sportsbooks, including DraftKings and FanDuel, and swindle millions of dollars from poker players. — Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 1 July 2026