defraud

[dih-frawd]

See more synonyms for defraud on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to deprive of a right, money, or property by fraud: Dishonest employees defrauded the firm of millions of dollars.

Origin of defraud

1325–75; Middle English defrauden < Old French defrauder < Latin dēfraudāre, equivalent to dē- de- + fraudāre to cheat; see fraud

Related formsde·frau·da·tion

[dee-fraw-dey-shuhn] /ˌdi frɔˈdeɪ ʃən/, de·fraud·ment, nounde·fraud·er, nounun·de·fraud·ed, adjective

Synonyms for defraud

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bilk, swindle, fleece, rip off, gyp, rook, cheat.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for defraud

fleece, victimize, rob, dupe, deceive, embezzle, con, circumvent, swindle, pilfer, hoax, clip, stick, do, burn, milk, foil, outwit, shaft, trick

Examples from the Web for defraud

Contemporary Examples of defraud

After all, if a broker defrauds sophisticated investors, it might also defraud unsophisticated investors.
The SEC's Dangerous Gamble
Harvey Pitt
April 20, 2010
To be frank, I seriously doubt if Madoff set out, with malice aforethought, to defraud anyone.
Why Bernie Did It
Mansfield Frazier
December 22, 2008

Historical Examples of defraud

To defraud, to cheat, to wrong, had at one time been most abhorrent to her nature.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851
Various
Otherwise I should defraud the public and ruin my practice at the same time.
The Education of Eric Lane
Stephen McKenna
She received it as a tribute that was due, and of which none dared to defraud her.
Sir Jasper Carew
Charles James Lever
Therefore, Major Kent was quite ready to defraud Doyle if he could.
General John Regan
George A. Birmingham
He should have justice, however, if they were trying to defraud him of his rights!
'Firebrand' Trevison
Charles Alden Seltzer

British Dictionary definitions for defraud

defraud

verb

(tr) to take away or withhold money, rights, property, etc, from (a person) by fraud; cheat; swindle

Derived Formsdefraudation (ˌdiːfrɔːˈdeɪʃən) or defraudment, noundefrauder, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for defraud

mid-14c., from Old French defrauder, from Latin defraudare "to defraud, cheat," from de- "thoroughly" (see de-) + fraudare (see fraud). Related: Defrauded; defrauding.