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Dictionary Language resources

swindle

Syllabification: (swin·dle)

Pronunciation: /ˈswindl/

Translate swindle | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of swindle

verb

[with object]

use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions:a businessman swindled investors out of millions of dollars
obtain (money) fraudulently:he was said to have swindled $62.5 million from the pension fund

noun

a fraudulent scheme or action:he is mixed up in a $10 million insurance swindle

Derivatives

swindler

Origin:

late 18th century: back-formation from swindler, from German Schwindler 'extravagant maker of schemes, swindler', from schwindeln 'be giddy', also 'tell lies'