1
as in scams
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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2
as in fakes
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frauds
The National Association of Mortgage Brokers recommends customers take precautions to avoid potential frauds by calling sources and double-checking any information or requests.
—
ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
There are some elite frauds going on in the sports world right now.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
That will weed out the frauds, freeloaders and slumlords.
—Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2026
Once recruited, victims were allegedly forced to conduct romance scams, fake cryptocurrency investment schemes and other online frauds targeting victims abroad.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
The frauds have grown nearly in lockstep with the growth of the industry.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
There is absolutely no evidence that frauds of this type or anywhere near this scale are happening in any of the other four states, or frankly that there is a large volume of as-yet-undiscovered fraud in Minnesota itself.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Wolchek's on-air specialty is exposing scams and frauds in the Motor City region.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Although scammers and frauds have infiltrated the world of social enterprise, legit companies can be uplifting for all involved.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
There are some elite frauds going on in the sports world right now.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
That will weed out the frauds, freeloaders and slumlords.
—Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2026
Once recruited, victims were allegedly forced to conduct romance scams, fake cryptocurrency investment schemes and other online frauds targeting victims abroad.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
The frauds have grown nearly in lockstep with the growth of the industry.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
There is absolutely no evidence that frauds of this type or anywhere near this scale are happening in any of the other four states, or frankly that there is a large volume of as-yet-undiscovered fraud in Minnesota itself.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Wolchek's on-air specialty is exposing scams and frauds in the Motor City region.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Although scammers and frauds have infiltrated the world of social enterprise, legit companies can be uplifting for all involved.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frauds
Noun
-
Americans lost nearly $21 billion to cyber-enabled crimes and online scams in 2025 alone, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Through meticulous reporting, the series reveals the complex operations behind modern scams, featuring stories of victims and scammers, while prompting global conversations among leaders in technology and policy to address this escalating crisis.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Swift’s likeness has been used without permission in numerous AI fakes, including by Meta’s AI chatbots and in pornographic images that have circulated on the internet.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Hackers with your booking data can write convincing fakes that look urgent.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Etched with a cheery blue bouquet pattern on a soft yellow background, the comforter and matching shams give any room a spring makeover.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The set comes with two shams and is reversible with a simple solid white side.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These two pretenders reflect an insider debate whose subject is not the existence of the Islamic Republic but the best method of its survival.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The Cult of the Beaver has to fend off pretenders.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The 21st century’s obstacles for young men—as seen in deaths of despair and lagging employment—have been amply publicized both by credible journalists and by charlatans such as Fuentes.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Carl Sagan's baloney detection kit taught us how to separate good science from the work of charlatans.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To tell the truly venomous from the fakers, there are a couple details to help distinguish the two.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 2025 major league impostors did not win a series until June.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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In the end, Zac – who pretended to be rich – and Sharma – who pretended to be his mentor – were both imposters.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But let’s circle back to TV‘s patron saint of affable, oft–insidious quacks.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Automatic ducking doesn't add quacks to your soundtrack.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frauds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frauds. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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