swindler
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of swindler
First recorded in 1765–75; from German Schwindler “irresponsible person, promoter of wildcat schemes, cheat,” derivative of schwindeln “to be dizzy (hence be dizzy-minded, be irresponsible), defraud,” equivalent to schwind- (cognate with Old English swindan “to languish”) + -(e)l- + -er; -le, -er 1 ( def. )
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.
He is a swindler, a snob and a savage misanthrope.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026
His father used the derisive German term “der Gauner,” which means crook or swindler.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2025
Baldy, as she was often referred to — and she was a swindler.
From Washington Post • Mar. 26, 2022
Ponzi schemes are named after a notorious swindler from the 1920s, but versions of the scam date back to at least the mid-1800s.
From BBC • Dec. 1, 2021
"Certainly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger."
From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
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.
