blockbusting

[ blok-buhs-ting ]

noun

1. the profiteering real-estate practice of buying homes from white majority homeowners below market value, based on the implied threat of future devaluation during minority integration of previously segregated neighborhoods.

blockbusting

/ ˈblɒkˌbʌstɪŋ /

noun

1. informal.
   the act or practice of inducing the sale of property cheaply by exploiting the owners' fears of lower prices if racial minorities live in the area

Word History and Origins

Origin of blockbusting¹

First recorded in 1940–45; block + bust ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

We already knew she could knock out the overt pop anthems, thanks to “All the Stars” — the galaxy-cruising single from the blockbusting “Black Panther” soundtrack, which sounded good last night, if aesthetically incongruous with the staging’s darker motifs — and “Kiss Me More,” a dance-pop Doja Cat collab that hit even harder.

From Seattle Times

Compton, dubbed Hub City for being almost the dead center of L.A., was a more than 99 percent white suburb in 1950; later the predatory real estate scheme of blockbusting and the 1965 revolt in neighboring Watts stoked white flight.

From New York Times

They combined the more subtle aspects of the game with a fierce trademark competitive edge, tearing into blockbusting tackles, harassing Poland until they coughed up possession, every player willing to do the defensive dirty work to regain possession.

From BBC

The reappearance of cocky Navy pilot Capt. Pete Mitchell to movie theaters sent blockbusting shockwaves around the world.

From Washington Times

Making matters worse, once integration began in a neighborhood, real estate agents would participate in what was known as “blockbusting.”

From Seattle Times