defraud
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
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.
“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
There seemed to be a real hunger for some sense of justice for Cook, who did not defraud anyone.
From Slate • Jan. 21, 2026
The board was told questions had been asked about whether "there had been intent to defraud" but reassured "this was not the case and the situation had arisen due to human error".
From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026
“We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone — judges included — who defraud public benefits intended to help those in need.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2026
I’d just have to prove that they were using the telegraph company to defraud.
From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner
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.
