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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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
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Recent Examples of bilk
Kevin Collier, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
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
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Former Jackson Health Foundation COO Charmaine Gatlin pled guilty to bilking millions in charity funds.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bilk
Noun
The findings dovetail with a spate of romance scammers on social media, particularly Telegram, promoting HELOC fraud as an effective new way to bilk victims out of even more money.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
In one scheme, prosecutors say dozens of scammers bilked more than $250 million from a federal program meant to feed hungry children in what has been described as the largest pandemic-era fraud scheme in the country.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Former Jackson Health Foundation COO Charmaine Gatlin pled guilty to bilking millions in charity funds.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bilk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bilk
Noun
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Having a stash of shrimp in the freezer is one of life's best dinner cheat codes.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
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The murders themselves come across as side quests in a video game, complete with cheat codes and drug references.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Before that, the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act that passed in January 2025 was already squeezing Social Security, CRFB said.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
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Video shows the women squeezing through the window and screaming obscenities at the people inside, while tossing food, beverages and packaging.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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But my collection intentionally ignored the fraudulent exploits of billionaire heirs, tax dodgers and corporate magnates — defense contracts, government lobbying, bank accounts in Switzerland, shell companies in Panama, citizenship of Antigua and political asylum in London.—
Snigdha Poonam,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The pool and hot tub setup look like they were plucked from an island retreat, set underneath palm trees and boasting a splash pad.—
Nora Heston Tarte,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Scheelhaase shifted to coaching at Illinois in 2015 and rose up the ranks at Iowa State under head coach Matt Campbell for six seasons before McVay plucked him from the college ranks in 2024.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Ducks’ fourth line toiled low in the zone, and after the Jets hustled to avert the threat there, Trouba’s ostensibly harmless fling from the far corner found the net, appearing to hit Winnipeg defenseman Ville Heinola’s stick first.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
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Those were full-time pharmacists, realtors and teachers hustling across Olympic ice for Team USA.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Exposure to it causes burning and stinging in the eyes, blurred vision, and wheezing, coughing, and breathing difficulties.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2026
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That still stings 30 years later.—
Hank Tester,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Federal prosecutors in New York charged its former CEO Joanna Smith-Griffin for defrauding investors of nearly $10 million.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Attorneys for Perry countersued, saying Aumann never had an ownership stake, was not an employee and misrepresented and defrauded Perry and Crawford — at times threatening physical violence.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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You just got screwed over by a duo!—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
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And this can really screw with your system for a bit.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bilk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bilk. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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