What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fleecing
Example
The mechanic was accused of fleecing his customers by charging exorbitant prices for simple repairs. [fleecing: verb]
Example
The tourists felt like they were being fleeced when they were charged double the regular price for a taxi ride. [being fleeced: passive voice]
swindling
Example
The con artist was arrested for swindling elderly people out of their life savings. [swindling: verb]
Example
The company was accused of swindling investors by promising high returns on a fake investment opportunity. [swindling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swindling is more commonly used than fleecing in everyday language. Swindling is a more serious offense and is often reported in the news, while fleecing is less common and may be seen as a less severe form of fraud.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between fleecing and swindling?
Both fleecing and swindling are associated with an informal and negative tone. However, swindling is often used in more formal contexts, such as legal or financial documents, while fleecing is more commonly used in casual conversation.
