Showing results for "profiteering"

• present participle of profiteer.

profiteering

American  

[pro-fi-teer-ing] / ˌprɒ fɪˈtɪər ɪŋ /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of profiteering

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

profiteering

“Because of this, charging inflated prices on necessities is considered price gouging and profiteering against vulnerable incarcerated population who have no ability to refuse or shop elsewhere.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

Company leaders were wary, worried about safety, failure and accusations of profiteering.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

The spokesman hit back at claims tickets are overpriced, adding that some have been sold for as little as $60, while more expensive tickets have been priced to prevent profiteering on resale markets.

From BBC ● May 15, 2026

"Music festivals should be places where all communities feel welcome, not venues that platform individuals with records of profiteering from antisemitism, racism and other repulsive views."

From Barron's ● Apr. 7, 2026

My profiteering shopkeepers will be useless for this task.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• crooked
• fraudulent
• nefarious
• rotten
• shady
• unethical
• unscrupulous
• untrustworthy
• venal