What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cons
Example
The con artist convinced the elderly woman to give him her life savings. [con: noun]
Example
He tried to con me into buying a fake watch. [con: verb]
swindler
Example
The swindler promised to invest their money but disappeared with it. [swindler: noun]
Example
She was caught swindling customers by selling fake products. [swindling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cons is a more commonly used term than swindlers in everyday language. It is often used in casual conversations and media, while swindlers is more commonly used in legal or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cons and swindler?
Both cons and swindlers are informal terms, but swindlers may be considered more formal due to its association with legal and criminal contexts.