VOOZH about

URL: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheat

⇱ CHEAT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
    • To save this word, you'll need to log in.
cheated; cheating; cheats

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud
cheated the elderly couple out of their property
2
: to influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice
a young man who cheated young women into marrying him when he was already married
3
: to elude or thwart by or as if by outwitting
cheat death

intransitive verb

1
a
: to practice fraud or trickery
denied the accusation that he cheated
b
: to violate rules dishonestly
cheat at cards
cheating on a test
2
: to be sexually unfaithful β€”usually used with on
was cheating on his wife
3
: to position oneself defensively near a particular area in anticipation of a play in that area
the shortstop was cheating toward second base

cheat

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act or an instance of fraudulently deceiving : deception, fraud
His financial activity turned out to be a great cheat.
2
or cheat code : a code (such as a button combination or password) that activates a hidden feature or capability in a computer or video game
In fact, some game levels are so tough that I had to resort to cheats to get through.β€”πŸ‘ Image
Peter Cohen
Most people think that using a cheat code is the only way to earn a dishonest reward β€¦β€”πŸ‘ Image
Christopher Breen
3
: one that cheats : pretender, deceiver
is a liar and a cheat
tax cheats
4
[probably from a deceptive resemblance to grain]
5
: the obtaining of property from another by an intentional active distortion of the truth

Synonyms of cheat

Choose the Right Synonym for cheat

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

Examples of cheat in a Sentence

Verb The players were accused of cheating. I had to cheat in order to solve the puzzle. The store cheats its customers through false advertising. They cheated him out of a fair deal. a heroin addict who has cheated death many times Noun a cheat at cards
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Most people would agree that cheating and planning a school shooting are hardly equal offenses, and Borgli doesn't totally stick the landing by sweeping Emma's past impulses under the rug. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026 Paul Bearman isn’t the type to just move on after he’s been cheated. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Walmart's Deals of the Day are like a cheat code to get epic gaming tech at great discounts. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026 And there’s a cheat code in the sister character. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheat

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

earlier cheat forfeited property, from Middle English chet escheat, short for eschete β€” more at escheat

First Known Use

Verb

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cheat was in 1590

Phrases Containing cheat

Rhymes for cheat

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œCheat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheat. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: to deprive of something valuable by dishonest methods
cheated them out of their property
2
: to successfully avoid or oppose by or as if by cleverness
the daredevil had cheated death again
3
: to use unfair or dishonest methods to gain an advantage
cheat on a test
cheat at cards
cheater noun

cheat

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of cheating
2
: a person who cheats

More from Merriam-Webster on cheat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchβ€”ad free!

Merriam-Webster unabridged

More from Merriam-Webster