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Cheat: meaning, definitions and examples

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cheat

 

[tʃiːt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in gaming

To act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a competitive situation.

Synonyms

deceive, defraud, swindle, trick.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cheat

Used when someone breaks the rules to gain an unfair advantage, often in academic or competitive settings.

  • 'He was caught trying to cheat on the exam
  • ' 'She cheats at cards all the time
  • '
deceive

Implying misleading or giving a false impression, often for personal gain.

  • 'He had deceived her into believing he was a doctor
  • ' 'Don’t be deceived by appearances
  • '
trick

Refers to deceiving someone through cleverness or skill, often in a playful or less harmful way.

  • 'It's just a trick to get you to buy more
  • ' 'He tricked his friend into doing his chores
  • '
swindle

Indicates cheating people out of money or property, often through lies or deceit.

  • 'She swindled elderly people out of their savings
  • ' 'The scam artist swindled him with a fake investment scheme
  • '
defraud

Used when someone illegally obtains money by deception or lies, often in financial or legal situations.

  • 'They were found guilty of defrauding the bank
  • ' 'He defrauded investors out of millions of dollars
  • '

Examples of usage

  • He was accused of cheating by using a hidden code during the game.
  • She cheated by looking at her opponent's cards when he wasn't looking.
Context #2 | Noun

general

An act of deception or dishonesty, especially for personal gain.

Synonyms

deceit, deception, fraud, trickery.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cheat

This is often used when someone breaks rules to gain an unfair advantage, especially in games, tests, or relationships.

  • He was caught trying to cheat on the exam
  • She felt betrayed when she found out he was cheating on her
deception

This is used to describe the act of hiding the truth, often for personal gain or to avoid trouble. It can be used in both casual and formal contexts.

  • His deception finally came to light after months of lies
  • She used deception to make him think she was someone else
fraud

This word is used in legal or financial contexts to describe deliberate deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain. It often carries legal consequences.

  • He was arrested for committing tax fraud
  • The insurance fraud could result in severe penalties
trickery

This is used to describe the act of tricking or fooling someone, often in a playful or less serious manner compared to 'fraud' or 'deceit'.

  • Despite his trickery, she managed to see through his plans
  • The magician's act was full of clever trickery
deceit

This describes the act of misleading or lying to someone, usually in a more formal or serious manner. It often implies deliberate intention.

  • He was involved in a web of deceit and lies
  • Her deceit was exposed during the investigation

Examples of usage

  • He was caught in a cheat during the exam.
  • She felt guilty about her cheat in the competition.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old French 'escheit', which means 'to escape', hinting at the idea of escaping rules.
  • In the 19th century, it started to be associated with trickery and deceit, expanding beyond card games to other areas.
  • It has roots in the Middle English word 'cheten', which signified the act of deceiving or swindling.

Psychology

  • Studies show a correlation between the pressure to succeed and the likelihood of engaging in dishonest behavior.
  • Cheating can activate feelings of guilt and anxiety, which can have long-term effects on mental health.
  • People often rationalize cheating by convincing themselves that others are doing it too, creating a sense of justification.

Education

  • An estimated 30% of students admit to cheating in schools, often due to high-stakes testing environments.
  • Different cultures have varying levels of acceptance regarding academic dishonesty, with some viewing it as a socially acceptable behavior.
  • The rise of technology has made it easier for students to access answers, leading to a surge of cheating incidents in the digital age.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often depict cheating in games, like the famous card-game scene in 'Casino Royale', highlighting its dramatic tension.
  • Several popular songs address themes of infidelity and betrayal, often using the term 'cheat' in the context of romantic relationships.
  • Reality TV shows frequently feature contestants who cheat to win, illustrating the ongoing fascination with dishonesty for fame.

Law

  • Cheating in gambling can lead to serious legal repercussions, including fines and imprisonment.
  • Fraud, a form of cheating, is punishable by law and can result in heavy penalties or criminal records.
  • Certain professions have ethical codes that strictly prohibit cheating, with violators facing loss of license or job termination.

Translations

Translations of the word "cheat" in other languages:

🇵🇹 trapacear

🇮🇳 धोखा देना (dhokha dena)

🇩🇪 betrügen

🇮🇩 menipu

🇺🇦 обманювати

🇵🇱 oszukiwać

🇯🇵 だます (damasu)

🇫🇷 tricher

🇪🇸 engañar

🇹🇷 aldatmak

🇰🇷 속이다 (sok-ida)

🇸🇦 يغش (yaghsh)

🇨🇿 podvádět

🇸🇰 podvádzať

🇨🇳 作弊 (zuòbì)

🇸🇮 goljufati

🇮🇸 svindla

🇰🇿 алдау

🇬🇪 მოტყუება (mot'yueba)

🇦🇿 aldatmaq

🇲🇽 engañar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,239, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.