fraud

noun

ˈfrȯd How to pronounce fraud (audio)
Definition of fraudnext
1
as in scam
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value thousands of people lost money when the investment scheme turned out to be a fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in fake
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise the "blind" panhandler was just a fraud trying to con holiday shoppers out of their money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery charges that he had gained control of his elderly mother's estate by fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fraud different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of fraud are counterfeit, fake, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could counterfeit be used to replace fraud?

The words counterfeit and fraud can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When can fake be used instead of fraud?

The words fake and fraud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

When would humbug be a good substitute for fraud?

The meanings of humbug and fraud largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than fraud?

While in some cases nearly identical to fraud, imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

In what contexts can sham take the place of fraud?

Although the words sham and fraud have much in common, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fraud Most of the time when the fraud is logged, the users face no more consequence than being blocked on the platforms. —Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026 Klecko, a former star for the New York Jets, pleaded guilty to perjury after lying to a federal grand jury that was investigating insurance fraud. —Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 In a January memo about the new policy, USCIS argues more thorough reviews are necessary to root out fraud in the system, and that any delays are worthwhile to ensure national security. —Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026 The watchdog agency is tasked with rooting out corruption, fraud and waste in city government. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fraud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fraud
  1. scam
  2. fake
  3. deception
  4. sham
  5. deceit
  6. pretender
  7. cheating
  8. charlatan
Noun
  • Why this message is designed to scare This scam relies on presentation, not accuracy.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • News of the potential scam comes as the Louvre continues to deal with the fallout of the October 2025 broad-daylight theft of $120 million worth of crown jewels, which remain unrecovered.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of scam
Noun
  • The overwhelming motive for the early fakes was to provide entertainment — about three-quarters of the images in the exhibition were created for this purpose, Rooseboom said.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Drake had taken a risk, executed the perfect fake.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of fake
Noun
  • Sybiha said Russia uses a range of tactics to recruit foreigners, including financial incentives, deception and coercion.
    — Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The crux of the Democrats’ deception is that repealing 287(g) will make our communities safer.
    — Robin Grammer, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • Sarah Sherman Samuel transforms high-quality hemp bedding with a tiger illustration—drawn by her son, no less—to make a set of shams perfect for elevating your bedding set with custom-like details.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The set comes with two shams and is reversible with a simple solid white side.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of sham
Noun
  • Such deceit is incompatible with public service.
    — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • But Prosecutor Ben Ladinig argued any grains of authenticity in Haobsh's life were far outweighed by deceit.
    — Natalie Morales, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of deceit
Noun
  • The Cult of the Beaver has to fend off pretenders.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Advertisement Iranians deserve better than the Pahlavi pretender.
    — Bobby Ghosh, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Definition of pretender
Noun
  • An honor council, comprised of administrators, teachers, and members of the student government, would sit in judgment on cases of alleged cheating.
    — Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • In the wake of the cheating, FIS has modified its rules and brought in a coordinator to oversee screening of gear and hired former Austrian ski jumper Mathias Hafele to work as equipment expert.
    — Brian Melley, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of cheating
Noun
  • First up was Ben Shapiro, who described Tucker Carlson and others as grifters and charlatans, guilty of misleading their audiences with falsehoods and conspiracy theories.
    — Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
  • Of course, there is also plenty of Trump flattery along with paeans to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his cockamamie make-America-sick-again agenda, as one medical charlatan nods to another.
    — Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 10 Dec. 2025
Definition of charlatan

Browse Nearby Words

fratricides
fraud
frauds
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Cite this Entry

“Fraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fraud. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fraud

Nglish: Translation of fraud for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fraud

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