fraudulent

[fraw-juh-luhnt]

adjective

1. characterized by, involving, or proceeding from fraud, as actions, enterprise, methods, or gains.

   a fraudulent scheme to evade taxes.

2. given to or using fraud, as a person; cheating; dishonest.

   Synonyms: unscrupulous, underhanded, crooked

3. false or deceiving; phony; misleading.

   They’ve concocted a series of fraudulent pretexts for the invasion that collapse instantly on examination.

   Synonyms: specious, sham, fallacious, illusory, deceptive, deceitful

fraudulent

/ ˈfrɔːdjʊlənt /

adjective

1. acting with or having the intent to deceive

2. relating to or proceeding from fraud or dishonest action

Other Word Forms

• fraudulence noun
• fraudulently adverb
• fraudulency noun
• nonfraudulence noun
• nonfraudulency noun
• nonfraudulent adjective
• nonfraudulently adverb
• unfraudulent adjective
• unfraudulently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fraudulent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin fraudulentus; fraud, -ulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of fraudulent¹

C15: from Latin fraudulentus deceitful

Example Sentences

More than a third of the money clawed back related to fraudulent activity during the Covid-19 pandemic, with other cash being recouped from unlawful council tax claims and illegal subletting of social housing.

From BBC

When someone is depressed, is highly anxious, is anorexic or has OCD or ADHD, do we dismiss these conditions as fraudulent excuses or flights from responsibility?

From Salon

The fraudulent app available for download on the Apple App Store is called “Ebt edge - food stamps” which bears a similar name to the real state-sponsored mobile application “ebtEDGE,” officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

"On merit too, it is held that impugned transactions cannot be classified as manipulative or fraudulent transactions or unfair trade practices," the order notes.

From BBC

Aspiration turned out to be a fraudulent company, and co-founder Joseph Sanberg has agreed to plead guilty to defrauding multiple investors and lenders.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• counterfeit 
• crooked 
• deceitful 
• dishonest 
• fake 
• forged www.thesaurus.com
• phony 
• sham