What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
con
Example
The salesman tried to con me into buying a faulty product. [con: verb]
Example
The con artist convinced the elderly woman to give him her life savings. [con: noun]
swindle
Example
The company was accused of swindling its customers out of millions of dollars. [swindle: verb]
Example
He fell victim to a swindle and lost his entire inheritance. [swindle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Con is more commonly used than swindle in everyday language, and it covers a broader range of contexts. Swindle is less common and is typically used in more formal or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between con and swindle?
While con is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, swindle is more formal and is typically used in legal or official contexts.
