Conning: meaning, definitions and examples

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conning

 

[ kɒnɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

deception act

Conning refers to the act of deceiving someone, often by manipulating their understanding or perception. It typically involves a calculated trick or ruse intended to achieve some form of gain, such as financially or gaining trust. The term is often associated with swindlers and con artists, who use charm and persuasion to exploit individuals. Conning can encompass a wide range of deceptive practices, from small lies to elaborate schemes.

Synonyms

deceiving, duping, misleading, swindling, tricking

Examples of usage

  • He was conning people out of their savings.
  • She was conning her friends into believing she was rich.
  • They were caught conning tourists at the market.

Translations

Translations of the word "conning" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estelionato

🇮🇳 धोखा

🇩🇪 Betrug

🇮🇩 penipuan

🇺🇦 обман

🇵🇱 oszustwo

🇯🇵 詐欺

🇫🇷 escroquerie

🇪🇸 estafa

🇹🇷 dolandırıcılık

🇰🇷 사기

🇸🇦 احتيال

🇨🇿 podvod

🇸🇰 podvod

🇨🇳 欺诈

🇸🇮 prevara

🇮🇸 svik

🇰🇿 алаяқтық

🇬🇪 მატყუარა

🇦🇿 fırıldaqçılıq

🇲🇽 estafa

Etymology

The word 'con' is derived from 'confidence', and it traces its roots back to the early 19th century in America, where it referred to confidence games (or con games). These games were schemes that exploited the trust of individuals, with the term 'con artist' emerging shortly after to describe someone who makes a living through deception. Originally, the term highlighted the aspect of gaining confidence from victims before exploiting them. Over time, 'conning' became widely recognized, representing not only the act of deceiving but also the broader culture of scams and deception. Today, it encompasses various forms of fraud, from simple tricks to complex fraudulent schemes, reflecting the evolution of language in response to societal issues.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,397, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.