ransom -
A sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a someone held as a prisoner.
The family was able to raise the large sum of money that was demanded as ransom for their son.
noun
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freeloader -
A person who takes advantage of others' generosity or resources without giving anything in return.
The party was full of freeloaders, people who just showed up for the free food and drinks.
nounverb noun
See verb
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fib -
A lie, typically an unimportant one
Jon told a little fib to his teacher about why he couldn't finish his homework and hoped she would believe him.
nounverb noun
See verb
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plunder -
The violent and dishonest acquisition of property
The pirate's eyes grew wide at the sight of his newly acquired plunder of gold coins and jewels.
adjective
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disingenuous -
Giving a false appearance of being truthful or genuine.
It was disingenuous of him to act surprised when he clearly knew what was going on
adjective
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duplicitous -
Deliberately misleading or two-faced in behavior or speech.
The spy led a duplicitous life, pretending to serve one country while working for another.
noun
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collusion -
Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others
The secretive group gathered in an act of collusion to influence the presidential election.
nounverb noun
See verb
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swindle -
A fraudulent scheme or action
Some people think that the government taxing them is its own sort of swindle.
verb
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shortchange -
To intentionally or unintentionally deprive someone of what they deserve or expect.
The store shortchanged me when it gave me a coat that was not nearly as nice as the damaged one I had returned.
nounverb verb
See noun
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swindle -
Use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions
Criminals have recently been swindling people by pretending to be IRS agents and demanding money.
noun
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smokescreen -
A distraction or false front used to mislead or deceive others.
The flashy website and ad campaign turned out to be a smokescreen so people would be distracted from paying attention to the company's declining sales.
adjective
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sneaky -
Doing things in a secretive or sly way, often to avoid being noticed or caught.
Before breakfast, Billy was sneaky and ate some cookies when his mother wasn't looking.
