What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fraud
Example
The company was accused of committing fraud by falsifying their financial statements. [fraud: noun]
Example
He was arrested for fraudulently claiming insurance money for a car accident that never happened. [fraudulently: adverb]
deceit
Example
She used deceit to convince him to invest in her business idea. [deceit: noun]
Example
He was known for his deceitful behavior and was not trusted by many people. [deceitful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fraud is a more common term than deceit in everyday language, especially in legal or financial contexts. However, both words are used to describe intentional deception or misrepresentation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fraud and deceit?
Fraud is a more formal term than deceit, due to its association with legal and financial matters. Deceit can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation.