\Swin"dler\, n. [G. schwindler, fr. schwindlen to be
dizzy, to act thoughtlessly, to cheat, fr. schwindel
dizziness, fr. schwinden to vanish, to disappear, to dwindle.
See {Swim} to be dizzy.]
One who swindles, or defrauds grossly; one who makes a
practice of defrauding others by imposition or deliberate
artifice; a cheat.
Syn: Sharper; rogue.
Usage: {Swindler}, {Sharper}. These words agree in describing
       persons who take unfair advantages. A swindler is one
       who obtains money or goods under false pretenses. A
       sharper is one who cheats by sharp practice, as in
       playing at cards or staking what he can not pay.
             Fraud and injustice soon follow, and the dignity
             of the British merchant is sunk in the
             scandalous appellation of a swindler. --V. Knox.
             Perhaps you 'll think I act the same As a sly
             sharper plays his game.           --Cotton.