antitrust

American

[an-tee-truhst, an-tahy-] / ˌæn tiˈtrʌst, ˌæn taɪ- /

adjective

opposing or intended to restrain trusts, monopolies, or other large combinations of business and capital, especially with a view to maintaining and promoting competition.

antitrust legislation.

antitrust British

/ ˌæntɪˈtrʌst /

noun

(modifier) regulating or opposing trusts, monopolies, cartels, or similar organizations, esp in order to prevent unfair competition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of antitrust

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; anti- + trust

Explanation

The adjective antitrust describes a kind of law or rule that protects fairness and competition in business. Antitrust laws are intended to stop companies from forming monopolies. An antitrust attorney specializes in business law, and the rules and regulations that keep competition between businesses fair and equal. One example of an antitrust violation is price fixing, when different companies conspire to keep prices high for their customers. The term antitrust has been around since the 1890s, when the Sherman Act was passed, prohibiting business activities that harmed competition.

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Vocabulary lists containing antitrust

Economics

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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: ant-, anti-

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Economics I

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The merger faces regulatory roadblocks due to antitrust concerns and opposition from over 1,000 film and TV professionals.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Paramount has enlisted a former Trump administration official, lawyer Makan Delrahim, who served as Trump’s antitrust chief during the president’s first term.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Several lawmakers have criticized the merger, citing antitrust concerns, and last month more than 1,000 film and television professionals signed a letter opposing the deal.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Charlie Beller, acting deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s antitrust division, addressed the topic of antitrust enforcement in a shifting media landscape at an industry conference Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

When Roosevelt brought an antitrust lawsuit against J. P. Morgan, a multimillionaire banker, Morgan was stunned.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023