FRAUD Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fraud' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of fraud are counterfeit , fake , humbug , imposture , and sham . While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth. // the diary was exposed as a fraud

Q: When could 'counterfeit' be used to replace 'fraud'?

The words counterfeit and fraud can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable. // 20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

Q: When can 'fake' be used instead of 'fraud'?

The words fake and fraud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty. // these jewels are fakes ; the real ones are in the vault

Q: When would 'humbug' be a good substitute for 'fraud'?

The meanings of humbug and fraud largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent. // creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

Q: When might 'imposture' be a better fit than 'fraud'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fraud , imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine. // their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

Q: In what contexts can 'sham' take the place of 'fraud'?

Although the words sham and fraud have much in common, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action. // condemned the election as a sham

fraud

noun

ˈfrȯd

Definition of fraud

as in scam

an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value thousands of people lost money when the investment scheme turned out to be a fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in fake

one who makes false claims of identity or expertise the "blind" panhandler was just a fraud trying to con holiday shoppers out of their money

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as in deception

the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery charges that he had gained control of his elderly mother's estate by fraud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fraud different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of fraud are counterfeit, fake, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could counterfeit be used to replace fraud?

The words counterfeit and fraud can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When can fake be used instead of fraud?

The words fake and fraud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

When would humbug be a good substitute for fraud?

The meanings of humbug and fraud largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than fraud?

While in some cases nearly identical to fraud, imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

In what contexts can sham take the place of fraud?

Although the words sham and fraud have much in common, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fraud The Stanford dropout and founder of biotech startup Theranos was charged with fraud for lying about the technology and financial health of her company. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 The three misdemeanors are one count of misdemeanor fraud and two counts of misdemeanor theft. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 He was arrested in 2015 for securities fraud and sentenced to seven years behind bars. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026 The 21 states fully running their own marketplaces generally have more robust fraud prevention programs, such as multifactor authentication, and have reported few or none of the kinds of unauthorized sign-ups plaguing the federal marketplace. — Julie Appleby, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fraud

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fraud

Noun

Authorities also obtained assistance from multiple banks and reviewed security camera footage, financial records and body camera footage from previous investigations involving similar scams.

— Sergio Candido, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Location information can also make a scam call more convincing.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of scam

Noun

Many of these goods, which were purchased on online platforms, were fakes that contained dangerous levels of phthalates, lead, formaldehyde, nickel and other substances.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
To combat this, Antinori has been marking its bottles against fakes for years.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fake

Noun

Hosted by Alan Cumming, the social deduction game follows a group of contestants (who are sometimes celebrities) engaging in a Mafia or Werewolf-style game of deception.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
With shifting alliances and deception, only the most calculating player will survive to win it all, per the logline.

— Peter White, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

The best way Ray can think of to do so is to tail her shady husband, Dom (Bobby Cannavale) — all the way into a sordid (but still vaguely family-friendly) web of deceit, murder, blackmail and gangland drama.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
These rosy reveries gradually darken as Wilde remembers succumbing to hedonism, deceit, debt, and disgrace.

— Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of deceit

Noun

The transfer portal can transform a contender into a pretender in a single offseason.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
The schedule is forgivable, even by ACC standards, but a rematch on the road against Notre Dame will separate the Canes as contenders or pretenders.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of pretender

Noun

The perception of cheating would likely cause trust in politics to crater even further.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
The league urged the Supreme Court to resolve the split, arguing that conflicting rulings leave oversight unclear and raise concerns about cheating, insider trading, and consumer protection.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of cheating

Noun

Despite the claims of any number of charlatans who prey on the American brand of cuddly benighted ignorance, the universe will not manifest an alternate reality for anyone who simply wishes for it with sufficient longing.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2026
You and many others have been taken in by a lowlife charlatan.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of charlatan

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fratricides

fraud

frauds

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“Fraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fraud. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fraud

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Synonyms of fraud

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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