fraudulent

IPA

Dictionary Definition of 'fraudulent'

Intentionally deceptive or deceitful, with the intention of gaining an unfair or illegal advantage.
"The fake degree was detected as fraudulent and the student was expelled."

Detailed Meaning of 'fraudulent'

It is often used to describe actions or behavior that involve dishonesty, deceit, or trickery. When something is fraudulent, it is intended to mislead or defraud someone, often for financial gain. Examples of fraudulent behavior include creating false documents, forging signatures, lying on a job application, or using someone else's identity to obtain credit or services. Fraudulent behavior can have serious legal and financial consequences for the perpetrator, as well as for those who are deceived. In many cases, fraudulent activity is illegal and can result in criminal charges and penalties. The term fraudulent implies a deliberate and willful attempt to deceive, and is often associated with illegal or unethical behavior.

History and Etymology of 'fraudulent'

The adjective 'fraudulent' draws its etymological roots from the Latin word 'fraudulentus,' which is derived from 'fraus,' meaning 'fraud' or 'deceit.' Therefore, 'fraudulent' etymologically conveys the idea of being characterized by fraud or deceit. It describes actions, behaviors, or representations that are intentionally deceptive or deceitful, often with the intent of gaining an unfair or illegal advantage. The term 'fraudulent' emphasizes the element of dishonesty and trickery, reflecting actions that are not genuine or truthful and are intended to mislead or defraud others. Its etymology underscores the notion of actions tainted by deceit, illustrating the intention to manipulate or swindle for personal gain.

Examples of 'fraudulent' in a Sentence

1. She fell victim to a sophisticated fraudulent scheme that promised high returns on her investment but ultimately led to financial ruin.
2. Fraudulent products, often counterfeits of well-known brands, flooded the market, causing financial losses for consumers.
3. The fraudulent contract, filled with hidden clauses and misrepresented terms, misled unsuspecting buyers.
4. The fraudulent documents presented as evidence in court were later revealed to be expert forgeries.
5. The fraudulent investment scheme, promising unrealistic returns, collapsed, leaving many investors in financial ruin.
6. Fraudulent charges, appearing on her credit card statement, alerted her to potential identity theft.
7. His fraudulent promises of easy wealth and success turned out to be nothing but empty words designed to swindle vulnerable individuals.
8. A fraudulent lawsuit, initiated by a disgruntled former employee, was quickly dismissed by the court.
9. The fraudulent art heist, involving stolen masterpieces worth millions, shocked the international art community.
10. They discovered a fraudulent scheme within the company, with employees embezzling funds over several years.
11. Fraudulent advertisements, making false claims about miracle products, were pulled from the airwaves after regulatory intervention.
12. She reported the fraudulent caller, who attempted to scam her by posing as a government official demanding immediate payment.
13. The fraudulent marriage, entered into solely for immigration purposes, was annulled by the authorities.
14. The fraudulent endorsement of the product, featuring a celebrity who had never used it, misled many consumers into making unwise purchases.
15. The financial advisor was charged with fraudulent activities.
16. The email was marked as fraudulent and was deleted.
17. The company's profits were found to be the result of fraudulent accounting practices.
18. The police are investigating the fraudulent scheme that took place at the bank.
19. The fraudulent website promised quick and easy wealth, but it was a trap.
20. The artist was accused of creating fraudulent paintings and selling them as authentic.
21. The buyer was protected from fraudulent sellers by the platform's refund policy.
22. The politician's promises were revealed to be fraudulent, leading to their downfall.
23. The jury found the defendant guilty of fraudulent behavior.
24. The charity's fundraising activities were found to be fraudulent and were shut down.
25. The investigators uncovered a fraudulent ring that was counterfeiting money.