Meanings
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1
verb
to obtain money, property, or a legal right from someone by deception
The scheme defrauded thousands of investors of their savings.
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2
verb
to deprive a person or organization of something rightfully due through dishonest means
The false records were designed to defraud the government of tax revenue.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English defrauden, through Old French defrauder and Latin defraudare, formed from de- + fraus, fraudis, 'fraud, deceit.' The construction defraud someone of something preserves the idea of taking by fraud.