What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defrauded
Example
The company was accused of defrauding its investors by providing false information. [defrauding: verb]
Example
He was defrauded of his life savings by a fraudulent investment scheme. [defrauded: past tense]
deceive
Example
She tried to deceive her boss by lying about her qualifications. [deceive: verb]
Example
The magician deceived the audience with his clever tricks. [deceived: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deceive is more commonly used than defrauded in everyday language. Deceive is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while defrauded is less common and typically used in legal or financial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defrauded and deceive?
Both defrauded and deceive are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as legal or financial documents.
