What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scam
Example
The email I received was a scam, asking me to provide my bank details. [scam: noun]
Example
He tried to scam me into buying a fake Rolex watch. [scam: verb]
swindle
Example
The con artist swindled the elderly couple out of their life savings. [swindled: past tense verb]
Example
The company was accused of swindling its customers by charging hidden fees. [swindling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scam is more commonly used than swindle in everyday language. Scam is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while swindle is less common and has a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scam and swindle?
Both scam and swindle are associated with an informal tone, but swindle may be considered more formal due to its less frequent use and more severe connotation.
