swindle
15 synonyms for swindle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To cheat someone out of money or property through deception.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To cheat someone out of money or property through deception.
“He swindled elderly investors out of their savings.”
How to use swindle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
swindle someone out of
an elaborate swindle
Etymology
A back-formation from swindler, itself borrowed from German Schwindler, related to schwindeln ("to be dizzy" or, figuratively, "to deceive").
Full origin of swindle →Frequently asked questions
What does “swindle” mean?
The word “swindle” means to cheat someone out of money or property through deception. In plain terms, to trick someone out of their money, or a scheme designed to do so.
How do you pronounce “swindle”?
“Swindle” is pronounced SWIHNDL (/ˈswɪnd(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “swindle” in a sentence?
Here is “swindle” used in a sentence: “He swindled elderly investors out of their savings.”
What is another word for “swindle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “swindle” include scheme and swizz.
What part of speech is “swindle”?
Depending on how it is used, “swindle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “swindle” come from?
The word “swindle” comes from German. A back-formation from swindler, itself borrowed from German Schwindler, related to schwindeln ("to be dizzy" or, figuratively, "to deceive").
How many meanings does “swindle” have?
“Swindle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cheat someone out of money or property through deception.
