defraud

[ dih-frawd ]

verb (used with object)

1. to deprive of a right, money, or property by fraud:

   Dishonest employees defrauded the firm of millions of dollars.

   Synonyms: cheat, rook, fleece, swindle, bilk, rip off

defraud

/ dɪˈfrɔːd; ˌdiːfrɔːˈdeɪʃən /

verb

1. tr to take away or withhold money, rights, property, etc, from (a person) by fraud; cheat; swindle

Derived Forms

• deˈfrauder, noun
• defraudation, noun

Other Words From

• de·frau·da·tion [dee-fraw-, dey, -sh, uh, n], de·fraudment noun
• de·frauder noun
• unde·frauded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defraud¹

1325–75; Middle English defrauden < Old French defrauder < Latin dēfraudāre, equivalent to dē- de- + fraudāre to cheat; fraud

Example Sentences

Gary Wang, co-founder and chief technology officer of FTX, was sentenced to no time in prison on Wednesday, two years after the cryptocurrency firm collapsed and faced accusations of defrauding customers.

From Salon

Federal prosecutors, in an indictment unsealed Tuesday, accused Joanna Smith-Griffin of defrauding investors and charged her with securities fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

From Los Angeles Times

He said anyone who had been defrauded should contact their bank before reporting it to the police and Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud.

From BBC

Soon Mr. Perez and several of his deputies were charged in California with defrauding insurers of nearly $40 million in premiums.

From New York Times

Fans say Ticket Maestro managed to defraud them out of a considerable amount of money.

From BBC

Related Words

• circumvent
• con
• deceive
• dupe
• embezzle
• fleece
• rob
• swindle
• victimize