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Swindled: meaning, definitions and examples

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swindled

 

[ ˈswɪndləd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

deceive someone

To swindle means to cheat or defraud someone of their money or possessions through deceitful practices. It often involves tricking someone into giving up something of value by misrepresentation or manipulation. Swindling can take many forms, including fraudulent schemes, scams, or dishonest business practices. This type of behavior is illegal and can result in criminal charges for those found guilty. Swindlers often prey on individuals or organizations by exploiting their trust or naivety.

Synonyms

bilk, cheat, con, defraud, dupe

Examples of usage

  • He was swindled out of his life savings.
  • The investment scheme was designed to swindle unsuspecting retirees.
  • She felt foolish for being swindled by a con artist.
  • Many consumers were swindled by the fake charity.
  • They swindled her by promising great returns on her investment.

Translations

Translations of the word "swindled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enganado

🇮🇳 धोखा दिया गया

🇩🇪 betrogen

🇮🇩 ditipu

🇺🇦 обманутий

🇵🇱 oszukany

🇯🇵 騙された

🇫🇷 escroqué

🇪🇸 estafado

🇹🇷 dolağa düşmüş

🇰🇷 사기를 당한

🇸🇦 مخدوع

🇨🇿 oklamaný

🇸🇰 oklamaný

🇨🇳 被欺骗

🇸🇮 oslabljen

🇮🇸 svikinn

🇰🇿 алаяқтыққа ұшыраған

🇬🇪 დაცარიელებული

🇦🇿 aldanmış

🇲🇽 estafado

Etymology

The word 'swindle' originates from the early 19th century, derived from the German word 'schwindel', which means 'a trick or deception'. The term gained traction in English around the 1800s as it began to be associated with swindling or deceitful practices that involve cheating someone out of money or valuables. The rise of commerce and complex financial transactions during this period likely contributed to the need for a term that encapsulated the act of deceit in financial dealings. As societies became more interconnected and financial systems more intricate, the instances of swindling increased, leading to a greater awareness of the term and its implications. Over time, 'swindle' has been used in various contexts, including fraud cases, business scams, and personal cons, establishing itself firmly in the vernacular as a descriptor for dishonest practices.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,292 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.