he defrauded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he defrauded" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone who has deceived another person for personal gain, particularly in financial contexts. Example: "He defrauded the investors by presenting false financial statements." Alternative expressions include "he swindled" and "he cheated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"No matter defendant's motive," Judge Reade wrote, "he defrauded the victim banks out of millions of dollars".

The New York Times

"He defrauded hundreds of people -- including Bob Torricelli".

The New York Times

They also charged that he defrauded officials of a Florida church of more than $100,000.

The New York Times

He showed what turned out to be good judgment in both whom he defrauded, and where.

The New York Times

But Mr. Johnson's accusers do not see a contradiction between his charitable acts and their allegations that he defrauded consumers.

The New York Times

In that way, prosecutors say, he defrauded Barrington out of $57,865.01 in taxes.

The New York Times

Lord Black, 61, faces charges he defrauded the Hollinger International publishing empire he formerly controlled.

The New York Times

The money he defrauded ran through his investment companies, which were – just like S&N – registered at 29 Harley Street.

The Guardian - Business

Dr. Kirkorov was also ordered to pay more than $20,000 to the insurance companies he defrauded.

The New York Times

Irving H. Picard, the trustee leading the search for money to return to Mr. Madoff's victims has said he defrauded customers of $20 billion.

The New York Times

The indictment contained charges beyond those made in June, namely that he defrauded a bank and that he destroyed records to obstruct the federal investigation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he defrauded", ensure you specify who was defrauded to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "he defrauded" without specifying the nature or extent of the fraudulent activity. Providing specific details enhances the credibility and impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he defrauded" functions as a verb phrase where 'defrauded' is the main verb in the past tense, indicating a completed action. This phrase typically requires a direct object, specifying whom the subject defrauded. Ludwig AI indicates this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he defrauded" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone who has committed fraud. Primarily found in news and media contexts, as per Ludwig's analysis, it conveys a clear accusation of illicit financial activity. When using the phrase, specifying the victim of the fraud is crucial for clarity. While synonyms like "he swindled" and "he cheated" exist, "he defrauded" carries a specific connotation of financial deception. Always provide context to avoid overgeneralization and ensure the impact of your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he swindled

Focuses on the act of deceiving someone to take their money or property.

he defrauded investors

Specifies the target of the fraudulent activity.

he cheated

Highlights the act of being dishonest or unfair to gain an advantage.

he perpetrated a fraud

Highlights the act of carrying out a fraudulent scheme.

he deceived

Emphasizes the act of misleading someone, which may or may not involve financial gain.

he conned

Similar to cheated, but implies a skillful deception.

he engaged in fraudulent activity

A more formal and general way to describe the act of defrauding.

he embezzled funds

Specifically refers to the misappropriation of funds held in trust.

he bilked

Similar to swindled, but may imply a smaller amount of money.

he ran a con

An informal way to describe the act of swindling someone.

FAQs

What does "he defrauded" mean?

The phrase "he defrauded" means that a male person has illegally obtained money from someone by deception. Similar phrases are "he swindled", "he cheated" or "he deceived".

What's the difference between "he defrauded" and "he cheated"?

"He defrauded" typically implies a financial crime or deception, whereas "he cheated" is a broader term that can apply to various contexts, not necessarily involving money. In most cases, you can exchange the phrases with no semantic difference.

Can I replace "he defrauded" with a more formal term?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use more formal terms such as "he embezzled funds" or "he engaged in fraudulent activity".

Is "he defrauded" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he defrauded" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of the verb 'defraud', indicating that the action of defrauding has already occurred.