social engineering

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The ramifications of the lost data could leave Americans susceptible to blackmail, coercion, social engineering or impersonation because the Social Security Administration has so much private and personal data, Borges said.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026

It has demonstrated over the centuries a deep faith in human betterment through liberal reformism and social engineering.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

The hackers reportedly stole the sensitive data using a social engineering technique, referring to a tactic of manipulating victims by pretending to be a company representative or other trusted person.

From Barron's • Oct. 12, 2025

A social engineering cyber-attack is when hackers pressure or trick users into giving away sensitive information, such as by impersonating a trusted company or person.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

Fry Guy was quite an accomplished talker; with a gift for "social engineering."

From The Hacker Crackdown, law and disorder on the electronic frontier by Sterling, Bruce