verb
defraud
dih-FRAWD/dɪˈfrɔːd/
To take money, property, or rights from someone by deception.
The operator hides the ball to defraud the player in the shell game.
Etymology
The prefix strengthens the cheating verb, giving the idea of thoroughly swindling someone. The English sense centers on deception or breach of trust that deprives people of what they are entitled to.
In context
gain their trust and then defraud them out of money or property
More examples
- He was convicted of trying to defraud the charity.
- The false invoices were used to defraud the company.
- She discovers that the seller has defrauded several customers.
Forms
defraud · defrauds · defrauded · defrauding
Similar words
- cheat
- Cheat is broad; defraud specifically obtains property or an advantage through deception.
- swindle
- Swindle similarly means cheat someone out of property or money; defraud is the more formal term.