Swindle typically takes a human object and often includes a prepositional phrase specifying what was taken: 'swindle someone out of their savings', 'swindle someone into investing'. It implies a deliberate, premeditated scheme rather than a spontaneous lie. More colourful and informal than 'defraud'.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| He swindled a lot of money. | He swindled people out of a lot of money. ('swindle' takes a person as object, not the thing taken) |
| He swindled the funds. | He embezzled the funds. (You swindle a person, not the money itself; use 'embezzle' or 'misappropriate' for the funds.) |
As a noun, swindle refers to the scheme or act itself: 'it was a swindle', 'a clever swindle', 'a financial swindle'. More informal than 'fraud' or 'embezzlement', but less colourful than 'con' or 'racket'. Often used in journalism and everyday speech.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| He was a swindle. | He was a swindler. (swindle = the scheme; swindler = the person) |
| The swindle person was caught. | The swindler was caught. |
Swindle implies a deliberate, often clever scheme — it suggests the victim was manipulated over time rather than simply robbed. The verb requires a person as its object ('swindle someone', not 'swindle the money'). More informal than 'defraud' or 'embezzle', but carries the same legal gravity.
As a verb, swindle takes a person as its direct object — not the money or property taken. Use 'swindle someone out of [money]'. The noun swindle refers to the scheme; the perpetrator is a swindler.
A back-formation from swindler, itself borrowed from German Schwindler (swindler, cheat, fraudster), from schwindeln (to be dizzy, to swindle, to make up stories) and schwinden (to disappear, dwindle, faint) — suggesting the idea of someone who 'vanishes' with the money. Swindler entered English around 1762, reportedly brought to London by German merchants. Swindle as a verb and noun followed shortly after.
What does swindle mean?
Swindle means to cheat someone out of money, property, or an advantage through deliberate deception or fraud (verb), or the fraudulent scheme itself (noun). For example: 'He swindled investors out of millions' (verb) / 'The whole deal was a swindle' (noun).
What is the difference between swindle, fraud, and scam?
All describe dishonest schemes. Fraud is the broadest and most formal term, used in legal contexts. Swindle implies a crafted, often elaborate deception, suggesting the victim was cleverly manipulated. Scam is more casual and informal. Con is similar to swindle but slightly more colloquial.
What are synonyms for swindle?
Verb synonyms: defraud, cheat, con, scam, bilk, fleece, dupe, rip off, bamboozle. Noun synonyms: fraud, scam, con, scheme, racket, hustle, fiddle, deception.
Where does the word swindle come from?
Swindle is a back-formation from swindler, borrowed from German Schwindler (fraudster, swindler), derived from schwindeln (to be dizzy, to swindle) and schwinden (to disappear). The idea is of someone who 'vanishes' with the money. The word entered English around 1762.
How do you use swindle in a sentence?
As a verb: 'She swindled her clients out of their retirement savings.' / 'He was swindled by a fake charity.' As a noun: 'The investment scheme was a carefully orchestrated swindle.' / 'Victims of the swindle came forward after the arrest.'