defrauded; defrauding; defrauds
: to deprive of something by deception or fraud
trying to defraud the public
Investors in the scheme were defrauded of their life savings.
Examples of defraud in a Sentence
They were accused of trying to defraud the public.
They conspired to defraud the government.
She was convicted of writing bad checks with intent to defraud.
Recent Examples on the Web
In April 2024, Ochoa-Vasquez, 46, came up with the scheme to defraud at least 16 migrants, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said.
—
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
Sherry Xue Li pleaded guilty in federal court in Central Islip, Long Island, to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the Federal Election Commission's administration of campaign finance.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 30 July 2025
Singer pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of justice.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
In 2018, McFarland was sentenced to six years in prison for engaging in several fraudulent schemes related to the festival, including defrauding investors out of $26 million and more than $100,000 in fraudulent ticket-selling schemes.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defraud
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
Sherry Xue Li pleaded guilty in federal court in Central Islip, Long Island, to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the Federal Election Commission's administration of campaign finance.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 30 July 2025
Singer pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of justice.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
In 2018, McFarland was sentenced to six years in prison for engaging in several fraudulent schemes related to the festival, including defrauding investors out of $26 million and more than $100,000 in fraudulent ticket-selling schemes.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defraud
Cite this Entry
“Defraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defraud. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share