greedflation

American  

[greed-fley-shuhn] / ˌgridˈfleɪ ʃən /

noun

Informal.

1. a rise in prices, rents, or the like, that is not due to market pressure or any other factor organic to the economy, but is caused by corporate executives or boards of directors, property owners, etc., solely to increase profits that are already healthy or excessive.

   He thinks this is just greedflation, an attempt to manipulate the economy, and that it will backfire and have unintended deflationary effects.

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Other Word Forms

• greedflationary
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of greedflation

First recorded in 2023; greed ( def. ) + (in)flation ( def. )

Example Sentences

In any case, conditions for greedflation could be waning.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2023

Unilever boss Alan Jope has also dismissed accusations of greedflation, saying the company was only passing on three-quarters of the higher costs it was facing.

From BBC • May 25, 2023

Critics have accused food retailers of "greedflation" - putting prices up to bolster profits.

From BBC • May 25, 2023

Slate Money talks the debt ceiling, AI regulation, and greedflation.

From Slate • May 20, 2023

If greedflation explains some of our current problems, it does not offer a clear way out.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2022