Cozened

To cozen someone means to deceive or trick them, often through skillful and subtle means, particularly with the intention of gaining something of value or advantage. It implies a level of craftiness and cunning in the deception. The act of cozening often involves exploiting the trust or naivete of the victim, and can range from minor swindles to more elaborate and harmful schemes. The outcome results in the victim being exploited by a perceived friend, partner, or peer. It emphasizes the artfulness and often underhanded nature of the deception.

Cozened meaning with examples

• The con artist cozened the elderly woman by pretending to be a government official, convincing her to transfer her life savings to a 'secure account.' His intricate lies and convincing demeanor allowed him to exploit her vulnerability and steal her money. He disappeared with her money with a smug smile on his face, leaving her with nothing.
• The used car salesman cozened the unsuspecting buyer by concealing the vehicle's history of accidents and mechanical problems. He cleverly highlighted the car's positive features, distracting from its flaws and selling the car for far above its actual worth. The buyer soon discovered the deception but found his options were limited.
• The politician cozened the public with promises he never intended to keep, gaining votes through carefully crafted speeches and misrepresentations. He skillfully manipulated public opinion and took advantage of their hopes for a better future to gain power. The betrayed voters realized his words were hollow after he took office.
• The charming salesman cozened the art collector into buying a forged painting, skillfully imitating the style of a famous artist. He presented the fake with meticulous detail and provenance, deceiving the art expert. The collector, impressed by his knowledge, paid an exorbitant price before discovering the forgery, devastating them.
• The competitive player cozened his opponents during the game by secretly changing the rules. He always seemed to win by using unfair tactics, creating an illusion that he had more skill. The players later uncovered his actions, exposing his cheating methods, and destroying his reputation.