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swindle

SWIN-duhl /ˈswɪndl/

verbnounB2

informalgeneral

(verb) To use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions. (noun) A fraudulent scheme or action.

Swindle often implies a cunning or elaborate trick, usually involving a confidence game, to cheat someone out of their money. It's less formal than 'defraud' and often suggests a more direct, personal act of trickery.

The story behind the word. The word 'swindle' comes from the German verb 'schwindeln,' which originally meant 'to be dizzy' or 'to feel giddy.' It later developed the sense of 'to act giddily or carelessly,' and then 'to cheat' or 'to defraud' by making someone dizzy or confused. It entered English in the late 18th century, bringing with it the sense of tricking someone through a bewildering or deceptive scheme.

Word relationships

con: Short for 'confidence trick,' implying exploiting trust, very informal.
cheat: Broader term, can apply to games, tests, or general dishonesty, not always financial.
defraud: More formal and legal term for illegally obtaining money by deception.

deal fairly: To conduct business or interactions honestly and justly.
compensate: To give someone something, typically money, in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury.

Commonly confused with

defraud: 'Swindle' is often more informal and suggests a cunning trick to cheat someone out of money. 'Defraud' is a more formal and legal term for illegally obtaining money by deception, often implying a more serious or complex act.

Word family

swindler (noun): A person who swindles.

Collocations

swindle someone out of
a clever swindle
perpetrate a swindle

Example sentences

"Tourists were warned about street vendors who try to swindle them with overpriced souvenirs." Describing a street scam.
"His latest scheme was a classic swindle, promising investors huge returns on a non-existent diamond mine." Reporting on a con artist.

Memory hook

A SWINDLE is when a clever person tries to WIN-DLe money from you with a deceptive story. WIN-DLe money

When not to use

While 'swindle' can be used for serious crimes, 'fraud' or 'embezzlement' might be more appropriate in formal legal contexts for large-scale or institutional deception.

Fun facts

The term 'swindle sheet' was an old slang term for an expense account that was padded with false claims.

Related words

defraud, scam

Explore more words

subterfuge, artifice, chicanery, embezzlement, abduct, double-cross