Thesaurus

swindle

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

noun

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Synonyms of swindle

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 for swindle

bunco
(or bunko),
con,
fiddle
[chiefly British],
flimflam,
fraud,
hustle,
scam,
shell game,
sting

Words Related to swindle

cross,
fix

racket,
rip-off

swindle

verb

Synonyms of swindle (Entry 2 of 2)

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 for swindle

Words Related to swindle

exploit,
milk

rope (in)

Phrases Synonymous with swindle

Frequently Asked Questions About swindle

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

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