WordLens

bilk

1 of 1verb
/bɪlk/
Forms:bilks,bilking,bilked,bilked
1

to unfairly take money or what someone deserves from them through dishonest methods

transitive
  • The unscrupulous salesman bilked elderly customers out of their retirement savings by selling them unnecessary insurance policies.
  • He bilked investors out of millions of dollars by promising high returns on a fake investment scheme.
  • The online scammer bilked unsuspecting victims by tricking them into revealing their bank account information.
  • The corrupt politician bilked taxpayers by embezzling public funds for personal use.
  • The con artist managed to bilk several clients out of their money.
2

to evade or avoid paying money owed

transitive
  • She was caught trying to bilk the government by claiming false deductions on her taxes.
  • The defendant attempted to bilk the court by falsifying evidence to avoid paying damages.
  • The thief bilked the store by switching price tags on expensive items.
  • He tried to bilk the landlord by refusing to pay the rent on time.
  • The company was accused of bilking its suppliers by delaying payments.
3

to hinder, prevent, or obstruct the progress or development of something

transitive
  • His actions were meant to bilk the team's efforts to reach their goal.
  • The company's unethical practices bilked the growth of local businesses.
  • Delays in the construction project bilked the city’s development plans.
  • The new laws were designed to bilk the progress of environmental reforms.
  • His interference with the project was meant to bilk the expansion of the company.