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

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

But amid accusations of "greedflation" - taking advantage of inflation to raise prices - the country's largest grocery chains say they aren't to blame.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2022

More recent developments have also weakened the greedflation theory.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2022

So in today’s newsletter, I want to look at the arguments for and against the idea that greedflation is driving higher prices.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2022