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Definitions

social engineering

[soh-shuhl en-juh-neer-ing] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl ˌɛn dʒəˈnɪər ɪŋ /

NOUN

applied social science

Synonyms

WEAK

social planning social work sociology

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.

These can include phishing or social engineering - gaining access by sending fake emails to employees who click a nefarious link which gives hackers access to a company's systems.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

So far, the most common use of AI for hacking has been social engineering.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

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

The attackers bypassed Claude’s safety systems through social engineering, convincing the AI they were legitimate cybersecurity professionals conducting authorized testing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

He was going to have a crack at social engineering.

From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette