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
• bunko
• 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
• phoney
• sham
• jig
• gouging
• fake
• overcharging
• phony
• gimmick
• wile
• soaking
• sleight
• humbug
• three-card monte
• 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

Clark also had to consider how the swindle would affect customers. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2024

In March, after reaching an agreement with the prosecution, Larson pleaded guilty to one count each of theft by swindle and identity theft and faced a presumptive prison term. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 21 May 2025

Verb

After Friedman swindled the Red Sox to acquire Betts in 2020, Walter inked the former American League MVP to a contract extension worth $365 million. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 19 June 2025

The digital marketing expert stressed that getting swindled by scammers isn’t just a niche concern. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025