defraud

/dɪˈfrɔːd/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈfrɔːd/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈfrȯd dē-/ (ame, mw)

defraud — verb

  • defraudpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • defraudshe / she / it
  • defraudedpast simple
  • defrauding-ing form

1. to use lies or tricks so that a person or company hands over money, property, or

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to use lies or tricks so that a person or company hands over money, property, or rights that should not have been given up, usually as part of a planned scheme.

例句

Diego was arrested for trying to defraud the bank of two million dollars.

passive-friendly pattern: defraud + [organization] + of + [amount]

The fake nurse defrauded several elderly patients of their pension savings.

defraud + [people] + of + [possession]

同義詞
  • swindle

    very close in meaning; slightly more everyday and journalistic, less courtroom-formal than 'defraud'.

  • cheat

    broader and more general; works for small daily dishonesty as well as large schemes.

  • embezzle

    narrower: the swindler is an insider stealing money already entrusted to them.

  • scam

    informal; emphasises the trick or scheme more than the legal harm.

反義詞
  • reimburse

    to pay money back to someone, the opposite outcome of defrauding.

  • compensate

    to make up for a loss the person has suffered.

文法句型

defraud + someone + of + something

用法筆記

Object is usually a person, company, or government that loses money, property, or a legal right; the loss is typically introduced with 'of' (formal) or 'out of' (slightly less formal). Frequently passive in news and court reporting.

常見錯誤

❌He defrauded the money from the company.
✅He defrauded the company of the money.
💡the victim is the direct object, not the money taken.
❌She was defrauded by 5000 dollars.
✅She was defrauded of 5000 dollars.
💡use 'of' to introduce what was taken, not 'by'.