Conned

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kɒnd/

Definitions

1. Tricked or deceived someone into giving money or sensitive information by dishonest means
2. Persuaded a person through falsehoods to part with valuables or personal data
3. Obtained money or confidential details from someone by misleading or cheating them

Etymology: The swindling sense comes from "con," a verb clipped from "confidence man," the name for a trickster who first wins a victim's trust and then takes their money. Shortening the phrase to its first syllable produced the verb, and "conned" is simply its past tense. It is easy to confuse this with a different verb. "Conn," meaning to steer a ship, is an older and separate word, descended from a Latin root meaning "to lead together." Its past tense is also spelled "conned," so the two forms are identical. Context alone tells a reader whether a vessel was steered or a person was deceived.

Synonyms: deceived, swindled, duped, tricked, fooled

Antonyms: enlightened, informed, educated, warned, protected