fraudulent

[ fraw-juh-luhnt ]

adjective

1. characterized by, involving, or proceeding from fraud, as actions, enterprise, methods, or gains:

   a fraudulent scheme to evade taxes.

2. given to or using fraud, as a person; cheating; dishonest.

   Synonyms: unscrupulous, underhanded, crooked

3. false or deceiving; phony; misleading:

   They’ve concocted a series of fraudulent pretexts for the invasion that collapse instantly on examination.

   Synonyms: specious, sham, fallacious, illusory, deceptive, deceitful

fraudulent

/ ˈfrɔːdjʊlənt /

adjective

1. acting with or having the intent to deceive
2. relating to or proceeding from fraud or dishonest action

Derived Forms

• ˈfraudulence, noun
• ˈfraudulently, adverb

Other Words From

• fraud·u·lence fraud·u·len·cy noun
• fraud·u·lent·ly adverb
• non·fraud·u·lence noun
• non·fraud·u·len·cy noun
• non·fraud·u·lent adjective
• non·fraud·u·lent·ly adverb
• un·fraud·u·lent adjective
• un·fraud·u·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fraudulent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin fraudulentus; fraud, -ulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of fraudulent¹

C15: from Latin fraudulentus deceitful

Example Sentences

A Los Angeles woman and Burbank man have been charged in a Medicare fraud scheme in which federal prosecutors say the duo received millions in fraudulent reimbursements.

From Los Angeles Times

Doubt alone could be enough for his allies to claim the election is fraudulent and ultimately seek to put forward an alternate slate of electors in Pennsylvania.

From Salon

They claim the 2020 election was “fraudulent” and assert that the 2024 election’s use of machines to tally votes is illegal.

From Los Angeles Times

Robert Robinson, 41, was arrested in September 2022 for trying to cash a fraudulent check at a casino.

From Los Angeles Times

While companies in places like Miami and Mississippi have faced fines for such fraudulent practices, the global nature of fisheries makes legal action difficult.

From Salon

Related Words

• counterfeit
• crooked
• deceitful
• dishonest
• fake
• forged
• phony
• sham