bilk 1 of 2

noun

Definition of bilknext
as in cheat
a dishonest person who uses clever means to cheat others out of something of value people who lost money in the scheme discovered that the investment company was a fake and the "owner" just a bilk

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bilk

2 of 2

verb

ˈbilk How to pronounce bilk (audio)
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats an investigation revealed that the garage had been bilking motorists for repairs that had never been made

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bilk
Noun
Fake invoices, bilks ‘restricted funds’ Jackson and court records show Gatlin approved hundreds of invoices for services and items that were never provided to the Foundation. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025 Iran’s levying of tolls in the Strait of Hormuz violates the core legal principle that nations may not exploit advantages of geography to bilk foreigners who need to traverse their land or maritime territory. — Vivek Krishnamurthy, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Verb
Ahmed, who fled to Dubai before he was indicted and is now in custody in Serbia awaiting extradition, is also charged in a separate scheme to bilk Loretto of funds through fraudulent invoicing. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026 In 2019, a couple was charged with embezzlement and exploiting the elderly for bilking buyers in six Western North Carolina counties out of millions of dollars for log homes. — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bilk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bilk
  1. cheat
  2. squeeze
  3. dodger
  4. pluck
  5. hustle
  6. sting
  7. defraud
  8. screw
Noun
  • Sometimes, the fourth-grader asks Robo-Dad for Minecraft cheats.
    — Ella Chakarian, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2026
  • And then Bobby is just a cheat code for comedy writers.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Definition of cheat
Verb
  • As artificial intelligence transforms the job market and rising living costs squeeze family budgets, the University of California system is making the case that its degrees remain valuable investments.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • Breweries may not have the budget or staff to create art and with rising costs squeezing small businesses, many breweries started to feature obvious generative AI art prominently as a way to talk about events or create content.
    — Em Sauter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • Ukraine faces severe personnel shortages with around 200,000 military desertions and 2 million draft-dodgers, threatening its ability to sustain the war against Russia’s 2022 invasion.
    — Kirsten Grieshaber, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Almost all other passengers dine at the Britannia Restaurant, and there’s also a buffet restaurant serving international cuisine, with options for vegans, vegetarians and dairy dodgers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2026
Definition of dodger
Verb
  • Patina Osaka’s ground-floor restaurant, P72, focuses on seasonal produce sourced nearby and plucked daily from the hotel’s urban garden.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • Eyebrows were being plucked into oblivion, bronzer was used in excess, and hair was parted deeply to one side.
    — Lauren Alberti, Allure, 6 July 2026
Definition of pluck
Verb
  • Finally at the front of the line to enter the national memorial, the Wheelers and the Lockes took their turn through security to hustle for a good spot near the stage.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • He was hustled by Charlie Parker and was part of the American delegation at the inauguration of his good friend Nelson Mandela.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
Definition of hustle
Verb
  • Significant stinging insect infestations like wasps and carpenter bees may also require a specialized plan that isn’t included in your general pest control service.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Democrats are still stung by Rogan’s nearly three-hour Trump interview in the final weeks of the 2024 campaign.
    — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of sting
Verb
  • According to court records, between July 2024 and August 2025, the brothers and unnamed co-conspirators orchestrated an identity theft ring that defrauded SNAP programs in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and other states.
    — Joe Marusak July 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
  • The charge alleges a person knowingly defrauded another by using false or misleading information to obtain money, property, credit or a loan.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of defraud
Verb
  • The breeze was screwing with the sound system, and the temperature dropped abruptly.
    — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026
  • Either Cody or Gunther wins because Sami gets screwed; Zayn will then further descend into madness and attack someone after the bell.
    — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of screw

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biliousness
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bilked
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Cite this Entry

“Bilk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bilk. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bilk for Spanish Speakers

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