racketeer

[ rak-i-teer ]

noun

1. a person engaged in a racket.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in a racket.

racketeer

/ ˌrækɪˈtɪə /

noun

1. a person engaged in illegal enterprises for profit

verb

1. intr to operate a racket

Derived Forms

• ˌrackeˈteering, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of racketeer¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; racket ¹ + -eer

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, today Knight is in prison for a hit-and-run, while Combs is awaiting trial on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which he denies.

From BBC

Huizar pleaded guilty in January to tax evasion and racketeering charges.

From Los Angeles Times

Nor can he fire Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is prosecuting Trump on charges of election racketeering, including an attempt to pressure Georgia officials into "finding" him votes during the 2020 election.

From Salon

And in Georgia, a racketeering case stemming from the Jan. 6 plot is in a sort of deep freeze as the state courts try to sort out whether Fulton County Dist.

From Los Angeles Times

If convicted of racketeering, he could face life in prison.

From BBC

Related Words

• extortionist
• loan shark
• mobster