defraud
verb (used with object)
to deprive of a right, money, or property by fraud.
was defrauding
-
past progressiveof defraud.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Police officers had arrested her solicitor husband Andrew over allegations he was defrauding clients - and were searching the family home the couple shared with their two children.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026
Prosecutors say Davis had been threatening to go to the FBI with information that Gumrukcu was defrauding him in a multimillion-dollar oil deal that Gumrukcu and his brother had entered into with Davis in 2015.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 29, 2022
The FBI monitored the now-suspended judge after suspicions arose that he was defrauding the state.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2018
The big difference here is that Wells Fargo was defrauding itself—via incentives it gave its own employees to treat Wells Fargo the way many companies treat their customers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2016
I told him to show me the way out, and I would report how he was defrauding the public to the humane society or somebody.
From The Adventures of Uncle Jeremiah and Family at the Great Fair Their Observations and Triumphs by C. M. (Charles McClellan) Stevens
