defraud

To defraud means to trick someone on purpose to get money, property, or a benefit by lies or deception. It is more than being dishonest, because it usually breaks the law. Think of a con artist who takes an elderly person's life savings with fake promises. You might hear about someone defrauding customers, insurers, or banks. It is a real crime, not a casual prank.

The word "defraud" means to intentionally deceive someone to gain money, property, or other value. It is more than just being dishonest; it is a crime in most legal systems and can bring serious consequences.

Imagine a contractor who takes your deposit for home repairs but never does the work—he has defrauded you. Or someone who forges documents to get a loan under false pretenses—that is also fraud. The key is deliberate deception with the goal of taking something valuable unfairly.

You will often meet it in legal contexts: "He was accused of defrauding investors out of millions," or "She faces charges for attempting to defraud the government." In both cases, the point is a clear breach of trust and a legal violation.

While everyday dishonesty can be painful, defrauding someone is far more serious. If you hear someone was defrauded, it means they were intentionally cheated and likely suffered an illegal loss.