swindle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "swindle" is correct and used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is tricked or cheated out of something of value, usually money. Example sentence: The conman swindled the elderly veteran out of his entire life savings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

According to him, the upper classes think of slum residents as lazy, criminal elements out to swindle the resources of the city.

The Guardian

And the beauty about writing about the music business is that everybody is prepared to believe that there is a great rock'n'roll swindle out there.

The Guardian - Tech

Thanks to the Bernie Madoff swindle, investors want to see sturdier back-offices staffed by compliance types.

The Economist

The term refers to scams in which the perpetrator uses personal contacts to swindle a specific group, such as a church congregation, a rotary club, a professional circle or an ethnic community.

The Economist

He lived in great style in Havana for many years until he too was accused of trying to swindle his hosts.

The Economist

We are tired of being an unwilling party to what appears to be a deliberate attempt to deceive voters and swindle investors.

The Economist

This is particularly true of money managers who work in the shadows or seem beyond reproach even more so during booms, when the temptation to swindle grows along with the propensity to speculate.

The Economist

With 9,000 hisba officers, Kano state has a slightly higher number of sharia cops than federal ones, according to each organisation's data.Their duties range from checking that market traders do not swindle customers to tracking down brothels.

The Economist

This is particularly true of money managers who work deep in the shadows or seem beyond reproach even more so during booms, when the temptation to swindle grows along with the propensity to speculate.

The Economist

He writes identical love letters to them, hoping to swindle some money from them while also enjoying them as sexual partners.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Every swindle is driven by a desire for easy money; it's the one thing the swindler and the swindled have in common.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing content, be sure that the term refers to some act of extreme trickery.

Common error

Avoid using "swindle" to describe minor acts of dishonesty or simple mistakes. "Swindle" implies a deliberate and significant act of fraud.

Linguistic Context

The word "swindle" functions primarily as a verb to describe the act of fraudulently depriving someone of money or possessions. It can also function as a noun, referring to an instance of fraudulent activity. Ludwig AI confirms this dual role, providing examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "swindle" is a versatile term used to describe fraudulent activities. Functioning as both a verb and a noun, it conveys intentional deception aimed at financial or material gain. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While "swindle" appears most frequently in News & Media, it is also common in Encyclopedias and Formal & Business contexts. When using "swindle", ensure you clearly specify the perpetrator and victim. Avoid using "swindle" in place of more mild terms like "trick" or "mislead" in minor deceptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defraud

Implies depriving someone of something valuable by deceit.

cheat

Suggests unfair or dishonest behavior to gain an advantage.

deceive

Indicates misleading someone, often to achieve a personal gain.

scam

Refers to a deceptive scheme or trick.

dupe

Means to trick or deceive someone easily.

fleece

Signifies taking a large amount of money from someone by deceit.

bilk

Implies evading payment or cheating someone out of money.

con

Short for 'confidence trick', meaning to deceive through manipulation.

hoodwink

Suggests deceiving or tricking someone by misleading them.

trick

Denotes deceiving someone in a cunning or skillful way.

FAQs

How is "swindle" typically used in a sentence?

The verb "swindle" is generally used to describe the act of deceiving someone out of money or property. For example, "The con artist tried to "swindle" the elderly woman out of her savings."

What are some synonyms for "swindle" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "defraud", "cheat", "scam", or "deceive" as alternatives to "swindle".

Is "swindle" a formal or informal term?

"Swindle" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally considered more impactful than milder terms like "trick" or "mislead". Its appropriateness depends on the severity of the deception.

What is the difference between "swindle" and "fraud"?

"Swindle" is a verb describing the act of deceiving someone, while "fraud" is a noun referring to the deception itself. You might say, "He tried to "swindle" them, but his "fraud" was discovered."