fraudulent

adjective

fraud·​u·​lent ˈfrȯ-jə-lənt 

: characterized by, based on, or done by fraud : deceitful

fraudulent use of a credit card

fraudulent claims for unemployment compensation

—Wall Street Journal

fraudulently adverb

fraudulentness noun

Synonyms of fraudulent

• dishonest
• false
• deceptive

Examples of fraudulent in a Sentence

Corrupt leaders were chosen in a fraudulent election.

fraudulent use of a credit card

the victim of a fraudulent scheme

Recent Examples on the Web

The sentencing came after White pleaded guilty to her role in submitting false and fraudulent claims for unclaimed property, officials said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026

Over a roughly three-month period in 2022, the physician allegedly wrote fraudulent prescriptions for highly addictive medications without ever examining patients, while his son found buyers and collected payments as part of the scheme, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

Then in March, Nordstrom’s internal investigation team alerted police to a broader pattern of fraudulent transactions. —Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

Prosecutors alleged that Fairley used non-public information about several NBA games, including the one involving Rozier, to place fraudulent wagers. —Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fraudulent

adjective

fraud·​u·​lent ˈfrȯ-jə-lənt 

: based on or done by fraud

fraudulently adverb

fraudulentness noun

Legal Definition

fraudulent

adjective

fraud·​u·​lent

: characterized by, based on, or done by fraud compare deceptive, false, misleading

fraudulently adverb