Thesaurus results for SWINDLE

Q: How does the verb 'swindle' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swindle are cheat , cozen , and defraud . While all these words mean "to get something by dishonesty or deception," swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence. // swindled of their savings by con artists

Q: When would 'cheat' be a good substitute for 'swindle'?

The words cheat and swindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation. // cheated me out of a dollar

Q: When might 'cozen' be a better fit than 'swindle'?

The synonyms cozen and swindle are sometimes interchangeable, but cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose. // always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

Q: When could 'defraud' be used to replace 'swindle'?

The meanings of defraud and swindle largely overlap; however, defraud stresses depriving one of his or her rights and usually connotes deliberate perversion of the truth. // defrauded of her inheritance by an unscrupulous lawyer

swindle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swindle next

as in scam

an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value identity theft has become one of the most frequent and feared swindles of our time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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swindle

2 of 2

verb

ˈswin-dᵊl

as in to cheat

to rob by the use of trickery or threats hundreds of people were swindled out of their savings, and all they had to show for it were fake land deeds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swindle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swindle are cheat, cozen, and defraud. While all these words mean "to get something by dishonesty or deception," swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence.

swindled of their savings by con artists

When would cheat be a good substitute for swindle?

The words cheat and swindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation.

cheated me out of a dollar

When might cozen be a better fit than swindle?

The synonyms cozen and swindle are sometimes interchangeable, but cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

When could defraud be used to replace swindle?

The meanings of defraud and swindle largely overlap; however, defraud stresses depriving one of his or her rights and usually connotes deliberate perversion of the truth.

defrauded of her inheritance by an unscrupulous lawyer

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 swindle

Noun

The videos are being used in investment scams, such as romance swindles, and in other ways. —

Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 Some crypto schemes involve crooks offering to help victims recover money lost in prior crypto swindles. —

Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024

Verb

Lucia swindles Albie as revenge for getting messed around, while Mia earns respect via her singing. —

Griff Griffin, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 That gap becomes dramatically clear in cases where players choose to act against their own interests, deliberately allowing their characters to be swindled, ambushed, or even killed. —

Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for swindle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swindle

Noun

According to a recent study, pickpocket scams are more prevalent in Europe, particularly in Italy, which ranked highest for pickpockets among the continent's other top destinations.

— Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2025
This is happening as scams evolve into multi-layered, personalized threats that are increasingly difficult to spot.

— Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025