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

Explanation

Ever paid a restaurant bill only to discover they charged you for stuff you never had? What they did was bilk you — cheat you out of money that was justly yours. Shady companies are forever bilking their investors. To bilk someone is slightly different from plain robbing them, though the effect is the same; it implies a non-violent, subtle and devious method masquerading as legitimate. Bernie Madoff, the Ponzi scheme king, was a classic bilker. On a more enjoyable note, one of the greatest bilkers in TV history was the appropriately named Sergeant Bilko, played by the comedian Phil Silvers. His eternal card games, promotions and get-rich-quick schemes were all designed to part some poor sucker from their cash. Watch and learn from the master.

Example Sentences

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 • Jan. 2, 2026

Guo, who is accused of engaging in a complex scheme to bilk thousands of online followers, was arrested this month in his 9,000-square-foot New York apartment.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2023

Costello wouldn’t be the only former Washingtonian accused of fabricating his résumé to bilk investors.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 6, 2022

On Tuesday, federal law enforcement officials stressed that they are continuing to probe the alleged fraud in Minnesota and other attempts to bilk money from a program meant to help hungry children.

From Washington Post • Sep. 20, 2022

It's all a fetch to bilk me out of my reckoning; but I'll take care of you, you swindler!

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume XXII by Wilson, John Mackay

Related Words

• con
• deceive
• defraud
• fleece
• swindle