fraud, smuggling, shoplifting, pickpocketing, assault: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Upper-Intermediate set 38. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. fraud · noun/frɔd/

   the crime of deceiving someone for money or personal gain

   He will take any opportunity to commit fraud to help fix his financial problems.

   Synonyms: trickery, deception

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French fraude, from Latin fraus, fraud- ‘deceit, injury’

2. smuggling · noun/ˈsməɡ(ə)lɪŋ/

   secretly importing prohibited goods from one country to another

   Former Vice President of the company was sentenced to nine years for drug smuggling, which damaged the reputation of the company.

   Synonyms: trafficking

3. shoplifting · noun/ˈʃɑpˌlɪftɪŋ/

   the act of stealing goods in a store

   Shoplifting is on increase in countries which experience financial crisis and most people don't know that they can end up in jail for shoplifting.

   Synonyms: stealing, burglarizing

4. pickpocketing · noun/ˈpɪkˌpɑkədɪŋ/

   the act of stealing things from people’s pockets, especially in a crowd

   The crime of pickpocketing usually goes unnoticed and can only be reported to the police when the criminal is caught in the act.

   Synonyms: snitching

5. assault · noun/əˈsɔlt/

   the act of physically attacking someone to cause bodily harm

   As a victim of physical assault, she was unable to work for a long time. This has led to financial problems and now, she is severely in debt.

   Synonyms: invasion, violation

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French asaut (noun), assauter (verb), based on Latin ad- ‘to’ + saltare, frequentative of salire ‘to leap’. Compare with assail