swindle
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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an act of swindling or a fraudulent transaction or scheme.
-
anything deceptive; a fraud.
This advertisement is a real swindle.
verb
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to cheat (someone) of money, etc; defraud
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(tr) to obtain (money, etc) by fraud
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have swindledperfect
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has swindledperfect 3rd person singular
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have been swindlingperfect progressive
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are swindlingprogressive
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has been swindlingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am swindlingprogressive 1st person singular
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is swindlingprogressive 3rd person singular
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swindlessingular 3rd person
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swindlingparticiple
Past
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had swindledperfect
-
was swindlingprogressive singular
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had been swindlingperfect progressive
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were swindlingprogressive plural
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swindledsimple
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swindledparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of swindle
First recorded in 1775–85; back formation from swindler ( def. )
Explanation
To swindle is to cheat or steal. You can swindle money, goods, ideas, and anything else that can be stolen, but be careful, because someone can also swindle you. In the late 1700s, the verb swindle formed from swindler, which means “giddy person, cheat.” Swindle can be a noun or a verb. When you get something by less than honest means, that’s a swindle. A successful act of swindle often involves some scheme or rigging of the system. Hollywood loves a good swindle — think of all the movies that show a bank robbery or people lying about who they are. Another funny word for swindle is bamboozle.
Vocabulary lists containing swindle
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chief Executive Patrick Swindle said he expects increased demand from federal, state and local governments to continue in 2026.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026
He also had a prominent role in 1960s courtroom film Hostile Witness and appeared in Burt Reynolds' crime movie Rough Cut and The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle with the Sex Pistols.
From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025
O’Neal had two kills and Skinner and Swindle one each for the Longhorns to hand Wisconsin its only first-set loss of the season.
From Washington Times • Dec. 15, 2023
“Sales have been better than we expected,” said Shannon Swindle, director of product development.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 16, 2020
I don’t think I actually push anyone out of the way, but I knock into Ashley Swindle pretty hard on the way through the door.
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
