What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defraud
Example
The company was found guilty of defrauding its investors. [defrauding: verb]
Example
He was charged with defrauding his clients out of millions of dollars. [defrauding: gerund or present participle]
swindle
Example
The con artist swindled the elderly couple out of their life savings. [swindled: verb]
Example
She fell victim to a swindle when she invested in a fake business opportunity. [swindle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swindle is more commonly used in everyday language than defraud. Swindle has a more informal connotation and is often used to describe scams or schemes that target vulnerable or trusting individuals. Defraud, on the other hand, is a more formal term that is often used in legal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defraud and swindle?
Defraud is a more formal term than swindle and is often used in legal or official contexts. Swindle has a more informal connotation and is often used in everyday language.
