What does defraudment mean?
Defraudment is the act of obtaining money, property, or another benefit by deceiving someone. The term is especially common in legal, financial, and investigative contexts, where it describes fraudulent schemes involving investors, creditors, businesses, or members of the public. Unlike a simple mistake or misunderstanding, defraudment involves intentional deception intended to produce a gain, often through false statements, concealed facts, or misleading documents. The word has a strongly formal and accusatory tone, so it is more appropriate in reporting, legal discussion, and official investigations than in everyday conversation. Although it overlaps with words such as fraud, swindling, and embezzlement, defraudment is especially associated with obtaining property or financial advantage by deceptive conduct. Its usefulness lies in naming the deceptive act itself rather than merely describing the dishonest result or the false statements used to carry it out.
nounThe act or practice of obtaining money, property, or another benefit through deception. It is especially used in legal and financial contexts.
- The act or practice of obtaining money, property, or another benefit through deception, especially fraud committed against investors, creditors, or the public.
"The company was charged with the defraudment of investors through false financial reports."
"The company was charged with the defraudment of investors through false financial reports."
"The inquiry examined alleged defraudment of local businesses by dishonest contractors."
The plural is uncommon; the word is often used as an uncountable noun for the practice or as part of a legal charge.
"The report described several alleged defraudments of small-business investors."
Defraudment is the formal name for getting something valuable by trickery—making deception sound like a legal matter of fact.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does defraudment come from?
Defraudment was formed in the early 17th century from the English verb defraud and the suffix -ment, which creates a noun denoting an action or process. Defraud itself comes through Old French from Latin defraudare, a word associated with taking away or depriving by deception. Its related English forms include fraud and fraudulent, both of which preserve the same Latin root concerning deception and dishonest gain.
How defraudment is actually used
A formal and chiefly legal term. It generally describes deliberate deception for financial or material gain and is more specific than the general word for deception.
Easily confused with defraudment
Defraudment involves obtaining money or property through deception, whereas defamation involves making false statements that damage someone's reputation.
Defraudment is the broader act of obtaining property through deception, while embezzlement specifically involves misappropriating property entrusted to someone.