cozen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cozen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of deceiving or tricking someone, often in a clever or crafty manner. Example: "He managed to cozen his way into the exclusive club by pretending to be someone he was not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Kasdan, the son of the Hollywood insiders Lawrence and Meg Kasdan, has been working in movies and television since his début as a child actor, in "The Big Chill," in 1983, and he appears to know, with an almost nauseated sense of familiarity, all the ways in which the TV industry can cheat, cozen, seduce, and buy even a halfway serious writer out of his convictions.

The New Yorker

Because Curzon understood the power of tradition as a living thing, which gave an ancient community identity, faith, and hope, he had, as a young writer, warned against the rush to cozen traditional societies into dye-stamp modernity.

The New Yorker

We're invited to enjoy how contemptuous they are of anyone whom they can bully, cozen, or blarney out of money.

The New Yorker

"It's hard to imagine conditions that would accommodate Justice's concerns that wouldn't leave the deal unacceptable to AT&T and T-Mobile," Melissa H. Maxman, co-chairwoman of the antitrust practice group at Cozen O'Connor, a law firm in Washington, said Friday.

The New York Times - Tech

Mrs. Campau, 26, is an associate in the Washington lobbying and government relations practice of Cozen O'Connor, a Philadelphia law firm.

The New York Times

But even as Wal-Mart may be planning an appeal of Friday's decision, Michael Schmidt, a partner in the labor and employment practice group at Cozen O'Connor, said that retailers would most likely hurry to put in place the crowd control guidelines that OSHA issued last year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

John Cozen, an AT&T customer, was among the first to report receiving a notification of being "throttled," or having his cellular Internet connection slowed down until the next billing cycle.

The New York Times

"We shall laugh well one day, monsieur," Ralegh quite incorrectly predicted, "for having thus cozened and beguiled the king, his council, and the Spaniards and all .Mr Hyland, a poet and travel writer, narrates the whole ignominious episode with aplomb.

The Economist

William Beckford, author of the Oriental novel Vathek, was his pupil and has preserved almost all that is known of Cozens' personal characteristics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The power of Cozens's art lies in its inchoate shapes and energies, its multiple possibilities.

The Guardian

When I interviewed Steel in 1988 – by which time he spoke through a voice box after suffering oesophageal cancer – he told me how although he was riding strongly on the first mountain stage, Cozens asked him to wait for his team-mate Stan Jones, telling him that if he refused he would be sent home.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cozen" when you want to emphasize a subtle or artful form of deception, often involving persuasion or charm rather than outright lies. For a more direct approach, consider "deceive".

Common error

Avoid using "cozen" when the deception is blatant or forceful. "Cozen" implies a level of finesse and subtlety that is absent in straightforward lies or acts of fraud. For example, don't use it to describe someone robbing a bank.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cozen" is as a transitive verb. It describes the act of deceiving or persuading someone through cunning or trickery. As seen in Ludwig, the term often appears when discussing manipulation or subtle forms of deceit.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Cozen" is a verb that describes deceiving someone through subtle and artful means. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct but relatively rare in modern usage, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. While synonyms like "deceive" and "swindle" exist, "cozen" emphasizes finesse and persuasion. The AI response confirms its correct usage, advising against using it for blatant forms of deception. Therefore, reserve "cozen" for situations where the deception involves charm or artful manipulation. Its limited frequency suggests a degree of formality, making it suitable for literary or formal writing, as seen in reputable sources such as The New Yorker and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceive

A general term for causing someone to believe something that is not true.

swindle

Implies cheating someone out of money or possessions.

defraud

Suggests a more formal and often legal context of deception.

beguile

Implies charming or enchanting someone into a deceptive situation.

trick

A simple and general term for deceiving someone.

dupe

Suggests that the person being deceived is foolish or easily fooled.

hoodwink

Implies covering up the truth to deceive someone.

mislead

Suggests unintentionally causing someone to have a wrong idea or impression.

outwit

Implies using superior intelligence to deceive someone.

take in

An informal phrase for deceiving someone.

FAQs

How can I use "cozen" in a sentence?

You can use "cozen" to describe someone who deceives or persuades others through subtle means. For example: "The con artist attempted to "cozen" the elderly woman out of her life savings".

What are some synonyms for "cozen"?

Alternatives to "cozen" include "deceive", "beguile", and "swindle". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "cozen" and "deceive"?

"Deceive" is a general term for causing someone to believe something that is not true, while "cozen" suggests a more subtle and artful form of deception, often involving persuasion or charm.

Is "cozen" a formal or informal word?

"Cozen" is somewhat formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation. It's more likely to appear in literature, historical texts, or formal writing.