FRAUD Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fraud

noun

ˈfrȯd

Definition of fraud next

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

Relevance

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

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

Examples 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 Ramaswamy said Wednesday that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will look for waste and fraud in those programs, including people receiving payments who shouldn't be. —

Erin Doherty, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024 She was also found guilty of siphoning off $18 billion obtained through fraud and for using companies controlled by her to illegally transfer more than $4.5 billion in and out of Vietnam between 2012 and 2022. —

Aniruddha Ghosal, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024 July 29 - Protests break out in several Venezuelan cities after Nicolas Maduro is formally declared the winner by the county’s electoral authority in a presidential race marred by accusations of electoral fraud. —

CNN, 21 Nov. 2024 Witkoff testified in the New York attorney general’s civil fraud suit against Trump in November 2023 and spoke at the Republican National Convention in July. —

Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fraud

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fraud

Noun

Security researchers have been tracking a sophisticated fake betting scam across social media platforms that uses AI technology to help deliver the con.

Davey Winder, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
McAfee researchers found these sorts of scams targeting footwear and handbag brands, including Adidas and Louis Vuitton.

Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024