as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
senior citizens generally were too smart to fall for the fast-talking salesman's attempts to defraud them
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defraud
Prosecutors have argued the group knowingly tried to defraud voters, since former President Joe Biden won Michigan's election by around 154,000 votes in 2020.
—
Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
In November 2022, after his co-defendant pleaded guilty in the case, Kelsey pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the federal government and another count of aiding and abetting the acceptance of excessive campaign contributions.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The fronts allegedly defrauded at least four major companies, causing each one at least $100,000 in damages and lost wages.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 30 June 2025
It has been documented that his private business practices have defrauded banks, contractors, and customers.
—Peter Balakian
july 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defraud
Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 12 July 2025
In November 2022, after his co-defendant pleaded guilty in the case, Kelsey pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the federal government and another count of aiding and abetting the acceptance of excessive campaign contributions.
—Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The fronts allegedly defrauded at least four major companies, causing each one at least $100,000 in damages and lost wages.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 30 June 2025
It has been documented that his private business practices have defrauded banks, contractors, and customers.
—Peter Balakian
july 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defraud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defraud
Verb
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Two cars owned by Penske, were forced to start from the back of this year’s Indy 500 because of a cheating scandal.—
Bill Koenig,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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The cheating rumors were intensified online, but what is the truth?—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
29 July 2025
Verb
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When cold fronts and other weather systems come along, that moisture can get wrung out, like squeezing a water-laden sponge, yielding heavy and often highly localized downpours.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
20 July 2025
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Capitalism, which generously expanded classical recording, could abruptly squeeze it, even destroy it.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
Verb
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The app uses a smartphone microphone to pick up the frequency of the belt as it's plucked like a guitar string.—
Eric Bangeman,
ArsTechnica,
25 July 2025
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Versant will be led by CEO Mark Lazarus, chief financial officer and chief operating officer Anand Kini, and chairman David Novak; other senior executives will be plucked from the ranks of NBCUniversal. Cable channel E!—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
Verb
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After studying music at Stanford, Scher hustled the biggest gig of all: working for the greatest booker in town himself, Bill Graham.—
David Kushner,
Rolling Stone,
20 July 2025
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The game came easy for her and, then just rebounding-wise, Jess just hustled.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
16 July 2025
Verb
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The bees became aggressive and stung the man multiple times.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
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Opting for a two-piece swimsuit in favor of a one-piece could also reduce your chances of getting stung.—
Evan Moore
July 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 July 2025
Verb
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More than 20 children are in the custody of a Southern California child-welfare agency as authorities investigate allegations of child abuse and whether surrogate mothers were deceived by a Los Angeles-area couple.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
17 July 2025
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And then he was wishy-washy, went back and forth, and she was deceived and disappointed by him.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
15 July 2025
Verb
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At the same time, Asad, 52, of Southwest Ranches, also pleaded guilty to bilking a government loan program meant to help struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Jay Weaver
July 26,
Miami Herald,
26 July 2025
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This is a betrayal of the bottom 80% by bad actors that are bluffing about bums bilking benefits.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2025
Verb
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In the series, Bess is unhappily married to Brody (Bruce), who spends more time working (or, more accurately, swindling his clients and draining Bess’ trust) than with his family.—
Alyssa Davis,
People.com,
19 June 2025
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Meanwhile, his closest associate, Laurent, is the true expert con artist but uses his swindling prowess for good, screwing over only the rich assholes who deserve it.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defraud. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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