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.

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

Jim Browning, a 'scam baiter' who hacks the computers of fraudsters attempting online scams, said anyone can become a victim of scammers, particularly as "what they are good at is social engineering".

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

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

Information brokerage, feedback strategies, symbolic social engineering, mass media, psychology, and event design form an eclectic practical experience.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai