swindler

[swind-ler]

noun

1. a person who cheats or defrauds others.

   The swindler Charles Ponzi became infamous for the money scheme that was later named after him.

Word History and Origins

Origin of swindler¹

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

He said "cutting-edge AI and data tools" would ensure the government can protect public funds and not "line the pockets of scammers and swindlers".

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And so on Monday, as Filipinos demanded an explanation, President Marcos Jr announced an inquiry that would "unmask the swindlers and find out how much they stole".

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In Telegram chat groups, the workers could see bank account suppliers and swindlers in need of accounts and would match the two and keep track of trades and commissions.

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An already-tense relationship appeared to worsen further last week with Mr Altman taunting Mr Musk's offer on X, and Mr Musk retorting by calling his onetime partner a "swindler".

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Not exercising responsibility for safeguarding the property of the evacuees allowed “an interval of golden opportunity to swindlers and tricksters who had a terrified group of people at their mercy,” according to the apology.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charlatan 
• cheater 
• con artist 
• counterfeiter www.thesaurus.com
• crook 
• forger www.thesaurus.com
• rascal 
• thief