defraud
Americanverb (used with object)
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defrauds,
present (3rd person singular)
-
defrauded,
past participle, past
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defrauding
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
defraudsimple
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defraudssimple
-
have defraudedperfect
-
has defraudedperfect
-
am defraudingprogressive
-
are defraudingprogressive
-
is defraudingprogressive
-
have been defraudingperfect progressive
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has been defraudingperfect progressive
Past
-
defraudedsimple
-
had defraudedperfect
-
was defraudingprogressive
-
were defraudingprogressive
-
had been defraudingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of defraud
1325–75; Middle English defrauden < Old French defrauder < Latin dēfraudāre, equivalent to dē- de- + fraudāre to cheat; see fraud
Explanation
To defraud is to con someone out of money. Defrauding is a sneaky crime. If you know that a fraud is some kind of a scam, then you're on the way to understanding what defraud means. If someone defrauds you, they are cheating you out of money. Ponzi schemes—also known as pyramid schemes—are a type of defrauding. A guy trying to sell you a bridge is a type of defrauding, as is a foreign prince asking for money via email. Be wary!
Vocabulary lists containing defraud
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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.
See Examples For:
Bannon was charged in an unrelated case with fraud in an alleged scheme to defraud people who funded a not-for-profit company to build a US-Mexico border wall.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
In 2022, an Atlanta court found the “Chrisley Knows Best” couple guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax fraud.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026
But the jury absolved Musk of “engaging in a scheme to defraud Twitter investors.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026
“This diminished capacity will send bad actors the message that there will not be enough cops on the beat if they attempt to defraud or exploit our commodity and derivative markets,” Schiff says.
From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026
If this is done knowingly and with intent to defraud, this is an illegal con game.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Garner Food Co. defrauds customers with its name and lone star logo on the iconic brand.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2022
White-collar crime undermines the rule of law, defrauds victims, and disrupts the marketplace.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2018
If a senator, Cabinet secretary, or federal judge assaults or defrauds another citizen in violation of state law, he or she cannot claim immunity based on occupation of a federal office.
From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2017
“If a large brokerage firm defrauds you, at least they have the money to pay you back,” said Brian Smiley, an Atlanta- based securities lawyer.
From BusinessWeek ● Jul. 6, 2011
He oppresses not the poor, nay, but he is not charitable either to give to them, he defrauds no man, but whom helps he by his means?
From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Hugh Binning
As a result, the five investors argue, they were defrauded of the nearly $1.2m they invested.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
The 48-year-old defrauded 172 people over 11 years to the tune of £562,000, Hull Crown Court was told.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
A Beverly Hills film producer whose credits include “Joker,” “Longlegs” and “Greyhound” has been indicted on federal fraud charges that allege he devised a scheme that defrauded investors of more than $100 million.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
JPMorgan could recoup the legal fees if it proves it has been defrauded.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
“It was the product you were selling. And what you produced was not love. It was fake love. You defrauded us. It’s clear. Your heart rates no longer rise when you see each other.”
From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson
He's certain there are more, too – but is unperturbed at the idea that his neighbours might be defrauding people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
An Orange County real estate investor accused of criminally defrauding an Arizona bank of nearly $100 million pleaded not guilty Monday and remains in custody.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
The entrepreneur, convicted of defrauding the bank, and her lawyers have racked up $144.2 million in bills, with receipts including gummy bears and cellulite butter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
A Delaware court ruled JPMorgan must continue paying legal fees for Charlie Javice, who was convicted of defrauding the bank.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
There were other counts, charging the defendant with defrauding other persons by the same means.
From Norfolk Annals A Chronological Record of Remarkable Events in the Nineteeth Century, Vol. 2 by Charles Mackie
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.
