con artist

USAGE SUMMARY

"con artist" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a noun which is used to describe someone who deceives people in order to get money or other benefits from them. For example, "The bank manager discovered that the con artist had been fraudulently taking money from the customers' accounts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Kaczynski is a con artist.

The New York Times

Some call him a con artist.

The New York Times

Ulysses, he claims, was a "con artist".

The New Yorker

CON ARTIST Opens on Friday in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Like a con artist, you're peddling optimism.

The New Yorker

"A con artist," Marco Rubio says.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

In real life, Weinberg's co-con-artist and mistress was a British woman called Evelyn Knight.

The Guardian - Film

So the question: if once a con-artist, always a con-artist?

Huffington Post

He is a con-artist and a fraud.

Huffington Post

Park Chan-wook returns with 'The Handmaiden,' an erotic romance, con-artist story and period piece.

Los Angeles Times

Richard E. Grant as Lord Barkis Bittern, a charming yet murderous con-artist.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "con artist", provide specific details about their methods and the impact of their actions to create a more compelling and informative narrative.

Common error

Be careful not to broadly label someone a "con artist" without providing concrete evidence of their deceptive behavior. Focus on specific instances of fraud or manipulation rather than making sweeping generalizations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "con artist" functions primarily as a noun, specifically a common noun, used to identify a person who practices deception for personal gain. As Ludwig AI states, it correctly describes someone who deceives people for money or other benefits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "con artist" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes someone who deceives others, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, as evidenced by the numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker provided by Ludwig, it serves to label and categorize individuals based on their deceptive behavior. Alternative terms such as "scammer" and "fraudster" offer similar meanings, but it's crucial to provide specific details when using the phrase to avoid overgeneralizations. In summary, "con artist" is a valuable term for describing deceptive individuals, but writers should use it judiciously and with supporting evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scammer

Focuses on the act of scamming, implying a fraudulent scheme.

fraudster

Highlights the fraudulent nature of the person's activities.

swindler

Emphasizes the act of swindling or cheating someone out of money or possessions.

confidence trickster

Highlights the use of confidence to deceive.

charlatan

Suggests a person falsely claiming to have special knowledge or skill.

imposter

Indicates someone pretending to be someone else to deceive.

deceiver

A general term for someone who deceives.

cheat

A more general term for someone who acts dishonestly.

hustler

Suggests someone who is resourceful and cunning, often in a dishonest way.

trickster

Implies the use of tricks and deception.

FAQs

How to use "con artist" in a sentence?

You can use "con artist" to describe someone who deceives people for personal gain. For example, "The detective's investigation revealed that the charismatic businessman was actually a skilled "con artist" who had defrauded investors out of millions of dollars."

What can I say instead of "con artist"?

You can use alternatives like "scammer", "fraudster", or "swindler" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "con artist" or "confidence artist"?

"Con artist" is a shortened and more common version of "confidence artist". Both terms are correct and refer to someone who gains trust to deceive, but "con artist" is used more frequently in contemporary language.

What's the difference between "con artist" and "thief"?

A "con artist" uses deception and manipulation to gain something, often money, by tricking their victims. A thief, on the other hand, typically takes something without the victim's knowledge or consent, using stealth or force.