# cheated

/ˈtʃitəd/ (US) · /tʃˈiːtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cheated
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. acted dishonestly

verb · CEFR B1

used a trick or broke a rule to win or get something.

For teachers: acted dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game, examination, or financial matter.

- He cheated on the history test by looking at his phone under the desk.
- The athlete was stripped of his gold medal after officials discovered he had cheated by using banned substances during the training season.

### 2. unfaithful in a relationship

verb · CEFR B2

was unfaithful to a husband, wife, or partner.

For teachers: engaged in a sexual or romantic relationship with someone other than one's established partner.

- She felt heartbroken when she found out that her boyfriend had cheated on her.
- The marriage collapsed quickly once it became public knowledge that he had cheated on his wife with a close family friend.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'on' before the person who was betrayed.

### 3. feeling tricked

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling that you have been treated unfairly or that someone took something from you by lying.

For teachers: describing the state of having been defrauded or deprived of something through deception.

- I felt cheated when the car I bought broke down only two days later.
- The investors felt cheated after the company's annual report revealed that millions of dollars had been hidden in offshore accounts.

## Examples

- He cheated on the math test by looking at his notes.
- The athlete was stripped of her gold medal after officials discovered she had cheated by using banned substances.
- While some argue that the system is rigged, others maintain that those who cheated to reach the top have undermined the very meritocracy they claim to represent.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.