Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cozen contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cozen are cheat, defraud, and swindle. While all these words mean "to get something by dishonesty or deception," cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

Where would cheat be a reasonable alternative to cozen?

The words cheat and cozen can be used in similar contexts, but cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation.

cheated me out of a dollar

When would defraud be a good substitute for cozen?

In some situations, the words defraud and cozen are roughly equivalent. 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

When can swindle be used instead of cozen?

While in some cases nearly identical to cozen, swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence.

swindled of their savings by con artists

Examples of cozen in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web The point, however, is not to entertain the driver/employee but to cozen the owner. Dan Neil, WSJ, 19 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cozen
Verb
  • Voters could be deceived into submitting funds to a joint pool of money to support a candidate.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
  • The pair find themselves in trouble after a hazing incident goes wrong, and attempt to lie, deceive and seduce their way out of bother.
    Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Most significantly, with three other dangerous Bears weapons spread to the right, safety Xavier Woods began cheating in that direction before the play began.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Martha Stewart threatened to burn down her own home over husband's cheating 'right on our property' Stewart had shared her two cents about the Red Notice star as a guest on Bilt Rewards' Rent Free game show.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Your partner is either fooling himself or attempting to fool you.
    R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Fischer, who played the paper company's receptionist Pam (until she was promoted), explained that creator Greg Daniels even filmed a fake version of the episode to fool them.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Rachel, always a champ, manages to pluck it out while everyone in the shelter ignores her.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
  • At first glance, the kitchen might look plucked from the 19th century, but there are marble countertops and stainless steel appliances that bring it up to date.
    Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The tools take advantage of Generative adversarial networks, which, in essence, try to trick the AI algorithm with incorrect (i.e., adversarial) data.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
  • The stunning corruption scheme finally came to an end in September 2013, when authorities tricked his NCIS mole into thinking the most serious investigations had been closed and then invited Francis to San Diego for a meeting with Navy officials.
    Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Since the stinging defeat in the courts, at which details emerged of government security forces downplaying the Bundys’ legitimate concern for their own safety when federal sniper units encircled the family, Washington and its agencies let the Bundys graze at will and without charge.
    Matt Thompson, SPIN, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Perhaps cricket can stomach that axing, but potentially not being part of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, will sting.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • For the third time this season, Jojo calmly squeezed the trigger and neatly folded the first tom.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
  • These new prices would squeeze consumer budgets, especially for low-income households that spend triple as much of their monthly budgets on apparel as high-income households spend, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Annie Nova,Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Photo : Gateway Bronco Even full-time all-wheel drive can’t prevent the power plant from chirping all four tires while hustling through the first couple of gears.
    Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Betts hustled all the way and neither Cole nor Rizzo could adjust in time.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near cozen

Cite this Entry

“Cozen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cozen. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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