Spanish word

defraudar

Pronunciation

IPA/defɾauˈðaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbdisappoint

Example

La película me defraudó.

The movie disappointed me.

Illustration for defraudar (disappoint)

More examples

Muchos inversores fueron defraudados por la empresa.

Many investors were defrauded by the company.

Core concept

An empty gift box on a celebration table.

Common phrases

  • defraudar la confianza

    betray trust

  • defraudar a los clientes

    disappoint customers

Similar words

decepcionar: Fall short of hopes or expectations, producing ordinary disappointment.
desengañar: Correct a false expectation by revealing the real situation, causing disappointment.
frustrar: Thwart plans or efforts so goals fail, producing frustration and letdown.
fallar: Fail to work or keep a promise, leaving expectations unmet.

Definition in Spanish

Provocar en alguien una sensación de decepción al no corresponder a lo esperado o prometido.

Word origin

From Latin defraudare 'deceive', built on fraud- meaning 'deceit', Spanish broadened the verb from cheating to causing disappointment when expectations or promises are not met.

Usage tips

  • In Spanish, defraudar commonly means 'to disappoint', whereas English defraud normally refers to committing fraud under the law.

Other meanings

  • deceiveverb
  • defraudverb

Opposites

Related words

  • defraudadorfraudsternoun
  • defraudadodisappointedadjective

Word lists with this word