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swindle

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swindle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swindle are cheat, cozen, and defraud. While all these words mean "to get something by dishonesty or deception," swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence.

swindled of their savings by con artists

When would cheat be a good substitute for swindle?

The words cheat and swindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation.

cheated me out of a dollar

When might cozen be a better fit than swindle?

The synonyms cozen and swindle are sometimes interchangeable, but cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

When could defraud be used to replace swindle?

The meanings of defraud and swindle largely overlap; 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

Example 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 swindle
Noun
In Freeform's brand new series, Scam Goddess, based on her book and podcast of the same name, the comedian is taking her sense for swindles on the road. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024 The videos are being used in investment scams, such as romance swindles, and in other ways. Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
Brad Pitt has reacted to the viral story of a 53-year-old French woman who was swindled out of $850,000 by someone pretending to be the actor. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025 Trump accused Amazon of swindling the U.S. Postal Service, tried to get the government to cancel subscriptions to The Post and accused Amazon of not paying enough taxes. Marianne Levine and Meryl Kornfield The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 20 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for swindle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swindle
Noun
  • In June 2023, INTERPOL issued a global warning about the rising activities of human trafficking networks fueled by online job scams.
    Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Another alleged scam involved the defendants posing as fictitious real estate owners and tricking victims into thinking a legitimate sale of property was occurring, then pocketing the money.
    Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In July 2022, Renay announced her split from NE-YO in a fiery Instagram caption that accused him of cheating.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Here are four deeper psychological factors behind why some people cheat—even in happy relationships.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The international order forged after World War II is imploding, squeezed on all sides by the return of strongmen, nationalism and spheres of influence — with President Trump leading the charge.
    Zachary Basu, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Goldman Sachs previously estimated that these tariffs could increase inflation by 1 percent while squeezing U.S. company profits and risking retaliatory measures from other nations.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Sea anemones provide anemonefish with shelter and a secure spawning site thanks to their stinging tentacles.
    Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Choosing Slotkin—a moderate who won Michigan's Senate race in November even as Trump carried the state—to deliver the Democratic response may signal a party shift after last year's stinging losses in the general election.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • They were all plucked from Gerbi’s orbit of creatives.
    Rhonda Richford, WWD, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Leaving the ‘Touch of Gold’ Holly in the planter, pluck out the cool weather annuals to make room for their summer-friendly counterparts.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • That s–t just kinda stuck with me, from the n—as that used to hustle and hang out with me.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Garita, on the other hand, hustled for loose balls and rebounds, finishing with just four points but a team-high 10 rebounds.
    Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Over the six years, Holmes regularly attended proceedings in U.S. District Court in downtown San Jose that led to a four-month trial that resulted in her 2022 conviction on four felony counts of defrauding investors.
    Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Listen to this article A Connecticut mental health counselor has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for defrauding Medicaid of more than $1.6 million to fund her lavish lifestyle, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Photo : Volkswagen No, your eyes do not deceive you, a Volkswagen did earn itself a spot on the list of the greatest luxury vehicles of all time.
    Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Despite providing historical records and even materials for a documentary on Bad Boy Entertainment in 2021, Burrowes says he was once again deceived and left unpaid for his contributions.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swindle. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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