[go: up one dir, main page]

Definition of cozennext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cozen contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cozen are cheat, defraud, and swindle. While all these words mean "to get something by dishonesty or deception," cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars

Where would cheat be a reasonable alternative to cozen?

The words cheat and cozen can be used in similar contexts, but cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation.

cheated me out of a dollar

When would defraud be a good substitute for cozen?

In some situations, the words defraud and cozen are roughly equivalent. However, 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

When can swindle be used instead of cozen?

While in some cases nearly identical to cozen, swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence.

swindled of their savings by con artists

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of cozen The point, however, is not to entertain the driver/employee but to cozen the owner. Dan Neil, WSJ, 19 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cozen
Verb
  • Sextortion, a scheme where victims are deceived into sending online perpetrators explicit images and then blackmailed in exchange for money or additional graphic content, has affected thousands of teens in recent years and led to multiple suicide deaths.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Fortunately, the American public is much more informed and less likely to be deceived by the meat and dairy industry than in 1977.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Hoosiers are probably cheating.
    Mac Engel January 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Contessa’s Corner Sports leagues, state gambling regulators and tribal leaders have all raised concerns that prediction market trades on sports don’t have the same level of guardrails as sportsbooks to protect against cheating by athletes, referees, coaches and other insiders.
    Alex Sherman,Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Don't be fooled by an ocean that looks calm.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
  • To Newton, the saga was a reminder of how, in the age of increasingly sophisticated and accessible generative AI, anyone online can easily and quickly fool even the most discerning content consumers.
    Lauren Wilson, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Mike Tomlin was an unknown when the Pittsburgh Steelers plucked him from obscurity in 2007 and handed the young and charismatic Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator one of the most stable jobs in sports.
    Will Graves, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2026
  • But Haise did lead Lens to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, finished one point behind PSG in 2023, and did, to pluck a one-off game out of the ether, oversee a 2-1 win over Arteta’s Arsenal.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The show’s original pair of fathers, who secretly trick their children into falling in love by pretending to be in a feud, will instead be mothers.
    Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Fake pop-ups and lookalike websites are designed to trick people into typing usernames and passwords by hand.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The last of them, in particular, away to his previous club Atalanta three days earlier, stung Gasperini.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
  • January 20 – February 18 When pride stings, compassion clears the air.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Panthers squeezed a few end-of-career seasons out of guys such as Dino Ciccarelli and Igor Larionov.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Instead, 2026 is about building both stylish and sensible outfits that can take you from the airport to the streets with maximum versatility without ever squeezing into tight, form-fitting fabric.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The director points to a mid-film scene in a bowling alley, where Marty and his friend Wally (Tyler Okonma, aka Tyler, the Creator) hustle a small-town crew, as an example of its importance.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Wing/forward Cam Whitmore did not hustle back on defense and continued to play with tunnel vision on offense.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Cozen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cozen. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

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

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!