fraud

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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 Screenshots of the software later appeared on right-wing websites that in turn used it to further promote baseless claims of voter fraud. Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025 Anyone with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are asked to contact the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025 Millions are now at risk of identity theft and fraud. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025 Sunbeam ultimately filed for bankruptcy and the SEC sued Dunlap and other top executives for engineering a massive accounting fraud. Matt Schifrin, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fraud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fraud
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
Noun
  • Once the actor put a razor to his upper lip, Donner ripped off his own mustache — a fake.
    David Morgan, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The first is social engineering, using impersonation and deep fakes to trick an employee into giving up sensitive information.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Tacopina recently appeared on The Breakfast Club to break down key elements of the defense’s strategy in proving Rocky’s innocence, and the plaintiff’s, A$AP Relli, lies and deception.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Today the art world is reeling over not just her deception, but also the stain Ms. Schiff has left on the largely unregulated business of art advising.
    Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The set comes with two shams and a woven quilt that feels smooth and comfortable to sleep under all year round, according to shoppers.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The breakdown of democracy in the United States will not give rise to a classic dictatorship in which elections are a sham and the opposition is locked up, exiled, or killed.
    STEVEN LEVITSKY, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Much of the series’ pathos hinges on the growing schism between mother and son as Kanan begins to understand the horrors of Raq’s machinations and deceit (including tricking him into assassinating his biological father), leading him to try to go into business for himself.
    Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Thirteen showed signs of possible deceit or suspicious activity.
    Donna McGuire, Ian Cummings, and Glenn E. Rice, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The bot will see you now: Therapists in the U.S. are getting ready for a battle with A.I. pretenders.
    Natasha Frost, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Without a bit more heart and soul, the spinoff is just a pretender in a nicely tailored suit.
    Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • There was too much history for anyone to dismantle, let alone a charlatan like Hitler.
    Luke Berryman, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Other contributor: Conor O’Neill (Top photo: Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images) Comments W Will S. · 2h 34m ago Because Maresca is a one trick pony charlatan and half of Chelsea’s first team players are more interested in Snapchat & Twitter.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • For Mirren, the cunning and cruelty of Whitfield is a timely example of power corrupting absolutely.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Gilded by privilege and cunning, Glinda is a popular young woman who desires to wield magic.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fraud. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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