as in scams
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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as in cheats
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swindles
David Ingram, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Frauds, swindles, cons, scams, and deceptions — collectively known as hoaxes.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
These swindles are not only highly organized but also systematized.
—Cezary Podkul, ProPublica, 19 Sep. 2022
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
He gets chased by cops, swindles the wrong ping-pong goobers and becomes embroiled in a canine extortion scheme.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Noun
In a case pending in federal court in Oakland, California, three Facebook users allege that the company profits from online swindles at the expense of users.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Frauds, swindles, cons, scams, and deceptions — collectively known as hoaxes.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
These swindles are not only highly organized but also systematized.
—Cezary Podkul, ProPublica, 19 Sep. 2022
Verb
This period comedy set in England in the 1930s stars Ben Radcliffe as a thief who swindles his way into a hall boy position at posh Fackham Hall, only to hook up with the daughter of the house and finagle his way into a position of privilege.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
He gets chased by cops, swindles the wrong ping-pong goobers and becomes embroiled in a canine extortion scheme.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swindles
Noun
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The company can go after fraudulent domains and Telegram accounts in hopes of disrupting the Outsider Enterprise operation, but the scams may simply change form.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
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For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Though Lesnar rarely cheats to win, Femi isn’t going to lose clean.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Five average players committed to protecting the middle of the ice are more effective than four great ones and one who cheats for offence.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Bankman-Fried was convicted of masterminding one of the largest financial frauds in history stemming from the collapse of the crypto-exchange FTX.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
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Uwanawich is accused of helping Evans, who had been previously convicted of similar frauds in Texas and Florida, by managing the bank accounts tied to the scheme, selling gold coins, transferring and spending the proceeds from the frauds, authorities said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 June 2026
Verb
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In games like Tuesday, when that deep postseason run seems realistic, UCLA pops the ball around on offense and communicates and hustles to overcome its deficiencies on defense.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Compared to the behemoth Acela, which hustles hundreds of thousands of riders between Boston, New York City, and Washington DC each month, Amtrak's Mardi Gras line is downright petite—just two 58-seat coaches, plus a café car and a 14-seat Business Class car.—
Kara Newman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the emotional gravity of this offering's deeply personal, melancholic lyrical content plucks an undeniably profound chord that uniquely separates it from the rest of his work.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
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The multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, who rocks an early era Maxwell ‘fro, plays drums, plucks bass, and sings about the ups and downs of love and consumerism on his new album, LK99.—
Elise Brisco,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2026
Verb
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View gallery - 10 images Intended for full-time living, the Porto squeezes a lot into its modest footprint.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 June 2026
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Even Zach Cherry squeezes plenty from his part as the dealership’s manager, who grows loudly resentful when Nate seems more emotionally invested in his biological children than coworkers.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
27 May 2026
Verb
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This stings even more on the heels of Hyatt’s award chart overhaul, which now has five price tiers instead of three.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
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The loss stings even more because Tiafoe is comfortable in these moments.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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On the flip side, its tunnel-vision focus on the Murdaughs means that the non-Murdaugh, non-murder victims left in their wake, like Mallory and her family or the clients Alex defrauds at work, are reduced to symbols.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swindles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swindles. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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