What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cheating
Example
He got caught cheating on the exam by looking at his neighbor's paper. [cheating: verb]
Example
Using cheat codes in a video game is a form of cheating. [cheating: noun]
fraud
Example
The company was involved in a fraud scheme that cost investors millions of dollars. [fraud: noun]
Example
She was convicted of fraud for forging signatures on official documents. [fraud: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cheating is more commonly used in everyday language, especially in educational or sports contexts. Fraud is less common in everyday conversations but is more prevalent in legal, financial, or business contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cheating and fraud?
Both cheating and fraud are considered informal terms. However, fraud is more commonly used in formal contexts due to its association with legal and financial matters.