as in cheated
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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Recent Examples of defrauded
Prosecutors say Goliath, based in Central Florida, defrauded investors of at least $328 million.
—
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
In total, Johnson defrauded the government of $300,000, Frankin of $100,000 and Wilson of $40,000, documents allege.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The arrest earlier this year of Alexander Soofer, the CEO of the nonprofit Abundant Blessings, who allegedly defrauded homelessness programs (including Inside Safe) of millions of dollars underscores the importance of the work Mejia and his team is doing.
—The Editorial Board, Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Federal authorities raided 22 locations in Minnesota on Tuesday in relation to allegations that billions of dollars were defrauded from the state.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a report earlier in April that found that such crimes defrauded Americans of nearly $21 billion in 2025.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Federal prosecutors allege that from 2019 to April 2026 Stefan Pildes, the organizer of SantaCon, defrauded tens of thousands of ticket-buying revelers and venue operators by promising proceeds would go to charities but instead used more than half of the money raised to line his pockets.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors said Pildes defrauded attendees and small business owners alike, pilfering funds to pay for extensive renovations on a lakefront property in New Jersey, concert tickets, luxury getaways, Michelin star meals and a sports car.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The indictment alleges that from November 2019 through April 2026, Pildes defrauded tens of thousands of people through the event, which brings in around 25,000 attendees each year.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
In total, Johnson defrauded the government of $300,000, Frankin of $100,000 and Wilson of $40,000, documents allege.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The arrest earlier this year of Alexander Soofer, the CEO of the nonprofit Abundant Blessings, who allegedly defrauded homelessness programs (including Inside Safe) of millions of dollars underscores the importance of the work Mejia and his team is doing.
—The Editorial Board, Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Federal authorities raided 22 locations in Minnesota on Tuesday in relation to allegations that billions of dollars were defrauded from the state.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a report earlier in April that found that such crimes defrauded Americans of nearly $21 billion in 2025.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Federal prosecutors allege that from 2019 to April 2026 Stefan Pildes, the organizer of SantaCon, defrauded tens of thousands of ticket-buying revelers and venue operators by promising proceeds would go to charities but instead used more than half of the money raised to line his pockets.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors said Pildes defrauded attendees and small business owners alike, pilfering funds to pay for extensive renovations on a lakefront property in New Jersey, concert tickets, luxury getaways, Michelin star meals and a sports car.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The indictment alleges that from November 2019 through April 2026, Pildes defrauded tens of thousands of people through the event, which brings in around 25,000 attendees each year.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defrauded
Verb
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The reportedly yearlong relationship is notable in that, after their split in 2015, Stocking posted and deleted tweets saying the basketball player cheated, per The New York Post.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
This is the same team that cheated and got caught how many times, going back to Bill Belichick and golden boy Tom Brady (Deflategate)?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Discovery and inspiration await in Casablanca, where leafy boulevards are lined by a diverse blend of architectural styles and lively markets are filled with treasures plucked from old villas and handcrafted by artisans.—
Liza Foreman,
Architectural Digest,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Orion capsule will be returned to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for additional study following the mission — but before it was plucked from the ocean, the divers managed to capture images of the capsule and its heat shield underwater.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Nuggets have lost plenty of playoff games the past two springs, but few have stung like this.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Meyer acknowledged the logic behind preparing Nick Bosa for the NFL Draft but admitted the choice still stung as the Buckeyes chased a title.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The president was uninjured and was hustled away.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
All of them were hustled out of sight.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many Americans feel financially squeezed — over half say their finances are worsening, according to a recent Gallup poll, the highest since 2001.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If Miranda Priestly can get thrown in steerage, we’re all screwed.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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But that doesn’t mean working people aren’t getting screwed.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After over a decade of partnership, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is suing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for more than $130 billion, alleging that Altman and OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman swindled him and betrayed the company’s founding charitable mission.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Holder was one of thousands of Americans swindled out of a total estimated at $20 billion by way of cyber theft in 2025, according to the FBI.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But some were also deceived or coerced.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Musk, who had donated at least $38 million to the lab, wanted to be CEO and gain majority control, but felt deceived after a power struggle with Altman over the role.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defrauded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defrauded. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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