fraud

noun

ˈfrȯd How to pronounce fraud (audio)
Definition of fraudnext
1
as in scam
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value thousands of people lost money when the investment scheme turned out to be a fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in fake
one who makes false claims of identity or expertise the "blind" panhandler was just a fraud trying to con holiday shoppers out of their money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery charges that he had gained control of his elderly mother's estate by fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fraud different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of fraud are counterfeit, fake, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could counterfeit be used to replace fraud?

The words counterfeit and fraud can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When can fake be used instead of fraud?

The words fake and fraud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

When would humbug be a good substitute for fraud?

The meanings of humbug and fraud largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than fraud?

While in some cases nearly identical to fraud, imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

In what contexts can sham take the place of fraud?

Although the words sham and fraud have much in common, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

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 fraud Southeast Asia has become a global epicenter of cyber scams, where high-tech fraud meets human trafficking. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 14 July 2025 But greed and fraud can also arise daily, from phishing emails to online scams. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 13 July 2025 Cuevas, a former state representative, resigned from the legislature in 2016 after the bank fraud charge. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025 The three-term Texas Attorney General was reelected despite being under felony indictment for securities fraud. —Riley Beggin, USA Today, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fraud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fraud
  1. scam
  2. fake
  3. deception
  4. sham
  5. deceit
  6. pretender
  7. charlatan
  8. cunning
Noun
  • Monroe now hopes that sharing her family's story will keep others from falling victim to this and other similar scams.
    — Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 July 2025
  • In a series of Instagram posts, the department warned participants to beware of scams.
    — Ed Shanahan, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Definition of scam
Noun
  • Trump — once a party pal of Epstein’s — insists the card is a fake and is suing the Journal.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
  • Much of their offense revolves around getting outside and creating displacement with motions and fakes.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Definition of fake
Noun
  • Last summer, an exponentially growing audience of fans watched her fall head-over-heels for Brit Aaron Evans, only to be left heartbroken over his deception and sobbing to an entirely too appropriate Sabrina Carpenter song chosen by the show's editors.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 19 July 2025
  • Finding The Right Balance The cost of workplace deception is more than just a nasty surprise come employee feedback day.
    — Dmitry Malin, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of deception
Noun
  • The California high-speed rail project is a sham and should have been stopped many years ago.
    — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 20 July 2025
  • Some ought to know better: The false and horrific accusation before the highly politicized International Criminal Court is a total sham.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Definition of sham
Noun
  • In the 21st century, varying degrees of financial deceit — from the Enron accounting scandal to the devastating consequences of massive Ponzi schemes like the one run by Bernie Madoff — continue to impact people across the country.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
  • Every fraudulent claim becomes part of the data used to set next year’s rates, creating a feedback loop where today’s deceit has the potential to become tomorrow’s financial burden.
    — Paulina Wierzbicka, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Definition of deceit
Noun
  • In the ensuing decade, the Yankees have cycled through at least 18 pretenders to Jeter's legacy.
    — Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • King portrays Prince John, younger brother to Richard, son of King Henry, and a dangerous pretender to the throne.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Definition of pretender
Noun
  • Caricatured by Honoré Daumier and his lesser followers always as a mountebank, a charlatan, a circus clown, Louis Napoleon could normalize the extent of his outrages by the seeming harmlessness of his absurdities.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
  • Where to watch Saw: Amazon Prime Video (to rent) 03 of 10 Saw X (2023) John Kramer ventures to Mexico for an experimental cancer treatment administered by money-hungry charlatans in this slick but not particularly inventive revival sequel, which takes place between the events of Saw and Saw II.
    — Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 10 May 2025
Definition of charlatan
Noun
  • Despite being outnumbered fifty-to-one by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 22 July 2025
  • Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 24 June 2025
Definition of cunning

Browse Nearby Words

fratricides
fraud
frauds
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Cite this Entry

“Fraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fraud. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fraud

Nglish: Translation of fraud for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fraud

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