profiteer

[ prof-i-teer ]

noun

1. a person who seeks or exacts exorbitant profits, especially through the sale of scarce or rationed goods.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as a profiteer.

profiteer

/ ˌprɒfɪˈtɪə /

noun

1. a person who makes excessive profits, esp by charging exorbitant prices for goods in short supply

verb

1. intr to make excessive profits

Derived Forms

• ˌprofiˈteering, noun

Other Words From

• anti·profi·teering adjective
• nonprof·it·eering noun
• unprof·it·eering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of profiteer¹

First recorded in 1910–15; profit + -eer

Example Sentences

The government will set out legislation in Parliament on Monday that will require major care home providers to share their finances with the government, so it can challenge what it describes as profiteering.

From BBC

The contractor, Zachary Young, was included in a November 2021 segment on war profiteers charging high prices to assist people in fleeing Afghanistan after the U.S. exited.

From Los Angeles Times

She accused the series of “exploitation and profiteering” off young stars, writing that Payne would be alive today had he not auditioned.

From Los Angeles Times

He said if the UK government “prevents British businesses from enabling Putin's profiteering, then I think you'll start to see others following that lead”.

From BBC

Indeed, profiteering by consumer companies untethered by competitive concerns played an unmistakable role in the inflation surge over the last couple of years.

From Los Angeles Times