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noun

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nepotism - When those with power or influence favor relatives, friends, or associates, such as by giving them jobs or ruling in their favor.

The public was disappointed by the nepotism of the newly elected mayor, when they saw that his whole government was filled with incompetent friends and relatives.

noun

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hypocrite - Someone who acts in a way that contradicts what they say they believe in

Barry claimed that he believed in honesty, but the way he usually lied when it was convenient showed that he was just a hypocrite

noun

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shenanigans - Secret or dishonest activity or maneuvering

Because of Wall Street's shenanigans, the American economy collapsed in 2008.

noun

See verb

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scheme - A large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining some particular object or putting a particular idea into effect, often through deceptive means

It's better to be honest and work hard, and not spend too much time devising or falling for schemes that are tempting shortcuts to making money.

noun

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fraud - Intentional deception for personal or financial gain.

Monty was sentenced to 10 years in jail for tax fraud when the tax man discovered that he had undeclared assets.

noun

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guise - A deceptive appearance that is intended to deceive

Using the guise of helping older women, the thief was initially friendly and then robbed them.

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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culprit - A person who is responsible for a crime or other misdeed

After a long foot chase through downtown, the police officer finally arrested the culprit.

noun

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scam - A dishonest scheme; a fraud

When Joel received an e-mail that promised him a million dollars, he hoped it wasn't a scam.

verb

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exploit - To take unfair advantage of

At the start of the industrial revolution, factory owners would exploit the workers by giving them low wages and making them work long hours.

adjective

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phony - Not genuine; fraudulent

To someone with an untrained eye, it can be hard to tell a phony handbag from a real one.

verb

See noun

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bluff - Try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions

Tim had a bad poker hand but decided to bluff and bet all of his chips at once.