profiteering

[ pro-fi-teer-ing ]

noun

1. the act or practice of seeking exorbitant profits, especially through the sale of scarce or rationed goods:

   The companies who raised prices before, during, or after the hurricane were charged with profiteering.

Word History and Origins

Origin of profiteering¹

First recorded in 1810–15; profit ( def ) + -eer ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

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

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

PBMs have been under fire for years for alleged profiteering and anticompetitive conduct, but efforts to regulate the industry at the federal level have stalled in Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bribery
• crime
• exploitation
• extortion
• fraud
• graft
• malfeasance
• nepotism