bilked

past tense of bilk

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 bilked Multiple scams over the course of three days bilked Washington state residents out of more than $670,000, according to a Facebook post from the local sheriff’s office. Drew Pittock, USA Today, 5 July 2026 Twenty-one people are facing charges as part of a massive hospice fraud scheme that prosecutors say bilked California’s medical system out of $267 million. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 In total, prosecutors say the fraud scheme bilked the program out of more than $250 million. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026 Meanwhile, California continued blowing money on a high-speed rail project that is years behind schedule and billions over budget, was bilked for billions in fraud, and funded an anti-homelessness bureaucracy with no accountability, among other things. Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026 We, too, are horrified by the betrayal of America’s social safety-net systems perpetrated by dozens of individuals in Minnesota who bilked at least $1 billion from taxpayers for non-existent services and clients. The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 20 Jan. 2026 Prosecutors say criminals also bilked millions of dollars from Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Services program — which pays for help finding and keeping housing — as well as the state’s autism-services program by billing for appointments, therapy and casework that never took place. Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 7 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bilked
Verb
  • Hell may hath no fury like a Red Devils squad feeling cheated after the shocking FIFA decision to allow Balogun to play tonight in Seattle.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Billups is accused of participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games tied to La Cosa Nostra organized crime families that cheated unsuspecting gamblers out of at least $7 million.
    Ed White, Twin Cities, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • In all, designing, building and assembling the horse involved a team of 45, not much less than the number of men on Odysseus’ ship (and roughly the same amount on board after the Cyclops and Scylla monsters had plucked off a few).
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 July 2026
  • Sweet and simple, these lemon motifs look plucked straight from a European grocer along the Amalfi coast.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • With one hour to collect their gear and pack the school bus taking them to Miami Gardens, the kids hustled to get ready to make their World Cup debut.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
  • Angela George The program's pacing and energy feel hustled this evening as organizers try to make up for two hours lost because of storms earlier in the day.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Macron hasn’t been the only European leader stung by pension politics either.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 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
Verb
  • But if rates stay high for an extended period, more marginal borrowers can be squeezed by interest servicing costs.
    Hugh Leask, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • Others in Stuyimby came through the experience of watching their parents get squeezed by the market.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • The Clippers continued to put the onus of guilt onto Joe Sanberg, the co-founder of Aspiration who has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a long-term scheme that defrauded lenders and investors of more than $248 million.
    Law Murray, New York Times, 9 July 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Thus, the outright majority of American voters, the Independents, get royally screwed again in favor of folks who represent about a quarter of Americans, thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision.
    Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026
  • Last year, Katz filmed a video of his new protégé shucking oysters, chopping wood, swinging kettlebells, and speaking directly to the camera in a muddy sweatshirt about how the oligarchy had screwed their beloved state.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • While the men whom Chen allegedly swindled began to grow suspicious of her actions around 2024, the Clark County Marriage Bureau reported her to the police, resulting in the launch of an investigation around the same time.
    Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
  • Aller swindled deal after deal on 2022 draft night, garnering future draft picks and getting off enough salary to sign Brunson and more.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 26 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bilked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bilked. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bilked

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster