defraud
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- defraudation noun
- defrauder noun
- defraudment noun
- undefrauded adjective
Etymology
Origin of defraud
1325–75; Middle English defrauden < Old French defrauder < Latin dēfraudāre, equivalent to dē- de- + fraudāre to cheat; fraud
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.
Though the cases were not connected, officials said they adopted similar ways to defraud the medical system.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
In 2013, a woman referred to as Jane Doe opened an account at Bank of America at the direction of Epstein associates as part of a “plan to defraud immigration officials,” according to the lawsuit.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
Zhijia Fan, 48, and Daoyan Shang, 20, both of no fixed abode, deny conspiracy to defraud and possessing an article for use in fraud between January and March 2025.
From BBC • Feb. 16, 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
“Dan and I are charged with ‘conspiracy to defraud the United States.’” he told reporters.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
