profiteer

American  

[prof-i-teer] / ˌprɒf ɪˈtɪər /

noun

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

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verb (used without object)

1. to act as a profiteer.

profiteer British  

/ ˌprɒfɪˈtɪə /

noun

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

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verb

1. (intr) to make excessive profits

Other Word Forms

• antiprofiteering adjective
• nonprofiteering noun
• profiteering noun
• unprofiteering adjective

Etymology

Origin of profiteer

First recorded in 1910–15; profit + -eer

Example Sentences

According to Ms. Vaill, he revealed his identity to Angelica, by then pregnant with their fourth child, only after he had made a fortune as a Revolutionary War profiteer and settled his debts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Others have pointed to putative profiteering by cattle ranchers, whose profits per animal have spiraled higher, even as many have pared the size of their herds.

From Los Angeles Times

Of course, this says nothing of the money that continues to flow to oil companies, war profiteers and private companies producing for-profit prisons.

From Salon

The Newcastle United Supporters' Trust previously "welcomed" the club "taking visible action to deter and penalise those who may be profiteering from other fans".

From BBC

His new strain is where the episode’s title come from and is a manifestation of corporate greed, tragedy profiteering, and empty signaling from brands.

From Salon