ENGLISH
REFERENCE

defraud

v.
C1 Advanced US //dɪˈfɹɔd// UK //dɪfɹˈɔːd// de·fraud Archaic

v. to trick someone out of their money or property by using lies or fake documents. You do this when you want to get something you are not legally allowed to have.

v. to deprive a person of property or money by means of fraud or deception. Transitive; requires a direct object representing the victim or the amount stolen.


SIMPLE

He tried to defraud the bank with a fake check.

CONTEXTUAL

The company was fined heavily after it was discovered that they had defrauded investors of millions of dollars.

COMPLEX

By manipulating the accounting records, the executive managed to defraud the shareholders of their rightful dividends for several consecutive fiscal years.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English defrauden, from Old French defrauder, from de- + frauder.

© 2026 English Reference