What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
con
Example
He's a con artist who has scammed many people out of their money. [con: noun]
Example
She conned her way into the party by pretending to be a VIP guest. [conned: past tense verb]
dupe
Example
He's such a dupe, he fell for the same scam twice. [dupe: noun]
Example
She was duped into buying a fake designer bag. [duped: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Con is more commonly used than dupe in everyday language, especially in the context of describing a person who deceives others. Dupe is less common and is mainly used to describe a person who has been fooled or misled.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between con and dupe?
Neither con nor dupe are formal words and are best avoided in professional or academic settings. They are more appropriate for casual conversations or informal writing.
