swindle

American  

[swin-dl] / ˈswɪn dl /

verb (used with object)

swindled, swindling

1. to cheat (a person, business, etc.) out of money or other assets.

   Synonyms:

   bamboozle, deceive, trick, dupe, cozen

2. to obtain by fraud or deceit.

---

verb (used without object)

swindled, swindling

1. to put forward plausible schemes or use unscrupulous trickery to defraud others; cheat.

noun

1. an act of swindling or a fraudulent transaction or scheme.

2. anything deceptive; a fraud.

   This advertisement is a real swindle.

swindle British  

/ ˈswɪndəl /

verb

1. to cheat (someone) of money, etc; defraud

2. (tr) to obtain (money, etc) by fraud

---

noun

1. a fraudulent scheme or transaction

Other Word Forms

• outswindle verb (used with object)
• swindleable adjective
• swindler noun
• swindlingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of swindle

First recorded in 1775–85; back formation from swindler ( def. )

Explanation

To swindle is to cheat or steal. You can swindle money, goods, ideas, and anything else that can be stolen, but be careful, because someone can also swindle you. In the late 1700s, the verb swindle formed from swindler, which means “giddy person, cheat.” Swindle can be a noun or a verb. When you get something by less than honest means, that’s a swindle. A successful act of swindle often involves some scheme or rigging of the system. Hollywood loves a good swindle — think of all the movies that show a bank robbery or people lying about who they are. Another funny word for swindle is bamboozle.

Example Sentences

And while they concede that seniors may be more frequently targeted online than those younger, that, too, is based on a false assumption—that their age will make them easier to swindle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

"With so many people seeking properties online, scammers will look for opportunities to take advantage and swindle people out of their money," he said.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2023

That fuelled speculation in Zambian media that some of the suspects might have sought to swindle gold buyers in a fake bullion scam.

From Reuters • Aug. 30, 2023

In the year since Bloom’s last arrest, D’Amore says she’s been contacted by others who say he tried to swindle them.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2023

He was filled with embarrassment: embarrassment for the human race, its preoccupation with money, its love of swindle.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• bilk
• con
• deceive
• defraud
• dupe
• extort
• fleece
• gouge
• hoodwink
• overcharge
• victimize