1. [informal] Deprive of by deceit
   "He conned me out of my inheritance"; "The con artist buncoed the elderly couple out of their life savings";
   - swindle, rook, goldbrick [N. Amer, informal], diddle [informal], bunco [N. Amer, informal], defraud, scam [informal], mulct, hornswoggle [N. Amer, informal], short-change, ream [N. Amer, informal], grift [N. Amer, informal], bunko [N. Amer, informal], fleece [informal]
    
2. Conduct or direct the steering of a ship or plane
   "The captain conned the ship through the narrow channel";
   - conn [US]
    
3. [archaic] Commit to memory; learn by heart
   "The actor conned his lines for tomorrow's performance";
   - memorize, memorise [Brit], learn

1. [informal] A scheme to defraud by gaining someone's confidence
   "The couple fell victim to a con and lost their life savings";
   - bunco [N. Amer, informal], bunco game [N. Amer, informal], bunko [N. Amer, informal], bunko game [N. Amer, informal], confidence trick [Brit], confidence game [N. Amer], con game [N. Amer, informal], hustle [informal], sting [informal], flimflam [informal], con trick [Brit, informal]
    
2. [informal] A person serving a sentence in a jail or prison
   "The con tried to smuggle contraband into his cell";
   - convict, inmate, yard bird [N. Amer, informal], yardbird [N. Amer, informal]
    
3. An argument opposed to a proposal
   "The committee carefully considered both the pros and cons of the initiative"

1. In opposition to a proposition, opinion, etc.
   "much was written pro and con"

Derived forms: cons, conning, conned

Type of: argument, captive, channelise [Brit], channelize, cheat, chisel [informal], direct, fraud, guide, head, hit the books [informal], maneuver [US], manoeuvre [Brit, Cdn], point, prisoner, rig [archaic], rip off [informal], statement, steer, study, swindle

Antonym: pro

Encyclopedia: Con