defraud

[dih-frawd]

verb (used with object)

1. to deprive of a right, money, or property by fraud.

   Dishonest employees defrauded the firm of millions of dollars.

   Synonyms: cheat, rook, rip off, fleece, swindle, bilk

defraud

/ dɪˈfrɔːd, ˌdiːfrɔːˈdeɪʃən /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• defrauder noun
• defraudation noun
• defraudment noun
• undefrauded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defraud¹

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

Example Sentences

Mozambique and Switzerland brought criminal and civil proceedings, and in 2021 Credit Suisse paid $475 million to settle charges that it defrauded some investors in the debt deals.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The intention is to defraud them out of their money.

Read more on BBC

Michel was convicted in federal court in Washington, D.C., on all 10 counts he faced, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., witness tampering and not registering his lobbying work on behalf of a foreign national.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In 2012, the U.K. tax authority accused the company and Boyd-Bowman, as its finance director, of defrauding the state by underpaying taxes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In the days and weeks after the 2020 election, partisans across the country used lies and deceit to try to defraud the American people and steal the White House.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• circumvent 
• con 
• deceive 
• dupe 
• embezzle 
• fleece 
• rob 
• swindle 
• victimize