English Reference
Adverb

fraudulently

adv.
C1 Advanced US /ˈfɹɔduɫəntɫi/ UK /fɹˈɔːdjʊləntli/ fraud·u·lent·ly

adv.in a way that is dishonest or illegal. You use this to describe someone who lies or cheats to get money or power.

adv.in a manner that is dishonest, deceptive, or illegal. Often describes the act of obtaining something through false pretences or the use of forged documents.


SIMPLE

He signed the contract fraudulently.

CONTEXTUAL

The company was caught fraudulently claiming tax deductions for expenses that never actually occurred.

COMPLEX

The investigation revealed that the suspect had fraudulently obtained a passport using forged documents to facilitate his escape across the border.

He said: "The government would do far better to beef up law enforcement and have tougher sentences for the minority who fraudulently rip off customers.

BBC News· 27 Aug 2026

These included misuse of funds, fundraising fraud, illegally taking public deposits, illegally extending loans, fraudulently issuing securities and bribery.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated