FRAUD Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fraud' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of fraud are counterfeit , fake , humbug , imposture , and sham . While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth. // the diary was exposed as a fraud

Q: When could 'counterfeit' be used to replace 'fraud'?

The words counterfeit and fraud can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable. // 20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

Q: When can 'fake' be used instead of 'fraud'?

The words fake and fraud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty. // these jewels are fakes ; the real ones are in the vault

Q: When would 'humbug' be a good substitute for 'fraud'?

The meanings of humbug and fraud largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent. // creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

Q: When might 'imposture' be a better fit than 'fraud'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fraud , imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine. // their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

Q: In what contexts can 'sham' take the place of 'fraud'?

Although the words sham and fraud have much in common, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action. // condemned the election as a sham

fraud

noun

ˈfrȯd

Definition of fraud

as in scam

an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value thousands of people lost money when the investment scheme turned out to be a fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in fake

one who makes false claims of identity or expertise the "blind" panhandler was just a fraud trying to con holiday shoppers out of their money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deception

the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery charges that he had gained control of his elderly mother's estate by fraud

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fraud different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of fraud are counterfeit, fake, humbug, imposture, and sham. While all these words mean "a thing made to seem other than it is," fraud usually implies a deliberate perversion of the truth.

the diary was exposed as a fraud

When could counterfeit be used to replace fraud?

The words counterfeit and fraud can be used in similar contexts, but counterfeit applies especially to the close imitation of something valuable.

20-dollar bills that were counterfeits

When can fake be used instead of fraud?

The words fake and fraud are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fake implies an imitation of or substitution for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty.

these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault

When would humbug be a good substitute for fraud?

The meanings of humbug and fraud largely overlap; however, humbug suggests elaborate pretense usually so flagrant as to be transparent.

creating publicity by foisting humbugs on a gullible public

When might imposture be a better fit than fraud?

While in some cases nearly identical to fraud, imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious object or performance is passed off as genuine.

their claim of environmental concern is an imposture

In what contexts can sham take the place of fraud?

Although the words sham and fraud have much in common, sham applies to fraudulent imitation of a real thing or action.

condemned the election as a sham

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of fraud An appellate court has upheld the fraud convictions of the two former top executives at Outcome Health — a once-prominent Chicago tech company. — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 But Chief Justice John Roberts noted that the court’s decision did not stop Trump from trying again to remove Cook over the mortgage fraud allegations. — Kevin Breuninger,megan Cassella, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 Craig has used the closing days of their neck-and-neck race to tell primary voters that Republicans will try to make the November election about fraud in the state’s child care system and other categories of government aid. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Whatnot requires sellers to appear on camera with their stock as a means of preventing fraud. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fraud

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fraud

Noun

During the alleged scam, the business reported losing $50,000.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Unlike phishing scams or malware-laden emails that cast wide nets and hope to lure in random victims, zero-click attacks are highly targeted.

— Justyn Newman, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of scam

Noun

Trump’s improbable rise to political dominance, which polls failed to register in the lead-up to the 2016 election, is a clear testament to that reality, and now Michigan has shown how similar head fakes can occur on the left.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
The employee framed by a fake inherits the job of proving a negative.

— Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of fake

Noun

Her backstory is littered with half-truths and deceptions, including a lie that her mentally disabled younger sister was murdered after being kidnapped.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
In modern times, as threats have evolved, deception with moving the president has been an integral part of the Secret Service protective methodologies.

— Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

Critics dismissed the elections, which were held in December and January, as a sham designed to consolidate the military’s grip on power while ostensibly restoring civilian rule.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Linen bedding can get costly fast, but this quilt set comes in at under $200—and includes matching shams.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of sham

Noun

When Gianni Infantino was chosen to replace Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA, he was seen as a reformer, someone who would bring transparency and openness to soccer’s international governing body, which had long been mired in scandal and deceit.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
In my view, to tell the story of America’s founding without referencing these profound scars is akin to deceit, if not complicity.

— Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

Definition of deceit

Noun

The transfer portal can transform a contender into a pretender in a single offseason.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
The schedule is forgivable, even by ACC standards, but a rematch on the road against Notre Dame will separate the Canes as contenders or pretenders.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of pretender

Noun

In place of San Francisco’s decaying arts bohemia of poseurs and charlatans, they can be said to be creating an alternate bohemia.

— Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Others estimate that $500 billion in federal spending is diverted by charlatans each year.

— Las Vegas Review-Journal, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

Definition of charlatan

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fratricides

fraud

frauds

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Style

“Fraud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fraud. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fraud

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Synonyms of fraud

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to fraud

9 Words for Impostors

The Words of the Week - 8/7/20

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on fraud

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Word of the Day

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Popular in Wordplay

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