n.
Pronunciation: ' ch ē t
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: 2 cheat
Date: 1590
1 : to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud
2 : to influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice
3 : to elude or thwart by or as if by outwitting < cheat death>
intransitive verb
1 a : to practice fraud or trickery b : to violate rules dishonestly < cheat at cards> < cheat ing on a test>
2 : to be sexually unfaithful ― usually used with on <was cheat ing on his wife>
3 : to position oneself defensively near a particular area in anticipation of a play in that area <the shortstop was cheat ing toward second base>
– cheat · er noun
synonyms CHEAT , COZEN , DEFRAUD , SWINDLE mean to get something by dishonesty or deception. CHEAT suggests using trickery that escapes observation < cheated me out of a dollar>. COZEN implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose <always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars>. DEFRAUD stresses depriving one of his or her rights and usually connotes deliberate perversion of the truth < defrauded of her inheritance by an unscrupulous lawyer>. SWINDLE implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence < swindled of their savings by con artists>.