Dictionary entries for 'swindle'

Synonyms

bilk
cheat
cozen
defraud
gull
mulct
rook
victimize
cheat
fraud
victimization

swin·dle (swĭńdl)

[Back-formation from swindler, one who swindles, from German Schwindler, giddy person, cheat, from schwindeln, to be dizzy, swindle, from Middle High German, from Old High German swintilōn frequentative of swintan, to disappear.]

verb: -dled, -dling, -dles.

transitive verb

To cheat or defraud of money or property.
To obtain by fraudulent means: swindled money from the company.

intransitive verb

To practice fraud as a means of obtaining money or property.

noun

The act or an instance of swindling.

derivatives

swińdler: noun

verb: -dled, -dling, -dles.

transitive verb

intransitive verb

noun

derivatives

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition