Word: defrauded (verb)

Associations

Defrauded means to be tricked or cheated out of money or something valuable. It often involves dishonesty.

• Someone defrauded the elderly man by selling him fake lottery tickets. He believed he had won but lost his money.
• The company defrauded investors by lying about their profits, making people invest more than they should.
• She felt defrauded when the services promised by the vacation rental were not delivered, leaving her disappointed.

The synonym "cheated" means similar things, but "defrauded" often involves a legal context or serious wrongdoing, while "cheated" can be more general and apply to various situations without the legal aspect.

Substitution

Instead of "defrauded," you could use:

• Swindled: This implies a more elaborate trick or con.
• Scammed: This often refers to a fraud that happens online or in a scheme.
• Conned: This suggests a trick that involved lying or deceit.

Each of these words may imply a different method or situation but revolves around the concept of being misled to lose something valuable.

Deconstruction

The word "defrauded" can be broken down into:

• "de-" (prefix): meaning removal or reversal.
• "fraud" (root): meaning deceit or trickery.
• "-ed" (suffix): indicating a past action or state.

The term comes from the Latin word "fraudare," meaning to cheat. Understanding its roots helps realize that it directly pertains to a loss caused by deceit.

Inquiry

Think about these questions:

• Can you recall a time when you or someone you know felt defrauded? What happened?
• In what situations do you think people are most likely to be defrauded?
• How does the idea of being defrauded make you feel about trusting others or making transactions?