bilk

American  

[bilk] / bɪlk /

verb (used with object)

1. to defraud; cheat.

   He bilked the government of almost a million dollars.

   Synonyms:

   rook, fleece, dupe, trick, swindle

2. to evade payment of (a debt).

3. to frustrate.

   a career bilked by poor health.

4. to escape from; elude.

   to bilk one's pursuers.

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noun

1. a cheat; swindler.

2. a trick; fraud; deceit.

bilk British  

/ bɪlk /

verb

1. to balk; thwart

2. (often foll by of) to cheat or deceive, esp to avoid making payment to

3. to escape from; elude

4. cribbage to play a card that hinders (one's opponent) from scoring in his or her crib

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noun

1. a swindle or cheat

2. a person who swindles or cheats

Other Word Forms

• bilker noun

Etymology

Origin of bilk

First recorded in 1625–35; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

The fraudulent enterprises didn’t provide legitimate public services, though they did employ people—in the service of bilking the government.

From The Wall Street Journal

State subsidies are paid directly to child-care providers, which could enable fraudsters to set up fly-by-night day care to bilk the government.

From The Wall Street Journal

Federal prosecutors say dozens of people bilked taxpayers by setting up scam social-services companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

The numbers out of Minnesota are staggering: Three separate plots to bilk welfare programs.

From The Wall Street Journal

The indictment does not name the California politician whose campaign fund the trio allegedly bilked.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• con
• deceive
• defraud
• fleece
• swindle