cheat

Definition

To violate rules in order to gain, or attempt to gain, advantage from a situation.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English acheten, variant of escheten, from Old French escheoiter, from the noun (see below). Displaced native Old English beswīcan.

Example Sentences

• "My brother flunked biology because he cheated on his mid-term."
• "My husband cheated on me with his secretary."
• "After he found out his wife cheated, he left her."