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.
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
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
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
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.
