usurious

[ yoo-zhoor-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. practicing usury; charging illegal or exorbitant rates of interest for the use of money:

   a usurious moneylender.

2. constituting or characterized by usury:

   usurious rates of interest; a usurious loan.

Other Words From

• u·suri·ous·ly adverb
• u·suri·ous·ness noun
• nonu·suri·ous adjective
• nonu·suri·ous·ly adverb
• nonu·suri·ous·ness noun
• unu·suri·ous adjective
• unu·suri·ous·ly adverb
• unu·suri·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of usurious¹

First recorded in 1600–10; usury + -ous

Example Sentences

An auto lender that allegedly charged hidden, usurious interest rates got to stay in business last year if it paid a fine and didn’t commit fraud in the future.

From Seattle Times

Some banks that boast of having eliminated overdraft fees, for instance, do so by enrolling their customers in services through which they’ll cover your bills, but charge usurious interest rates for the excess.

From Los Angeles Times

Antisemitism had long traded on the stereotype of the Jew as Shylock, the usurious, heartless banker.

From Salon

Travelers on the east/west road, now partially flooded, were hostages to a private ferry operator who offered lake crossings at usurious prices.

From Seattle Times

Nearly two decades ago, the state made it a felony to offer high-interest payday loans that state lawmakers described as usurious.

From Salon