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

The government has said it is primed to step in if there are signs petrol sellers are profiteering from the crisis - something the Petrol Retailers Association has denied is the case.

From BBC

She said it was looking at regulation to prevent profiteering and to reduce EU tariffs.

From BBC

Allegations of profiteering have accompanied it from the start.

From Barron's

The watchdog is currently gathering evidence on whether fuel providers are profiteering, and it will be some time before it comes to a conclusion.

From BBC

A spokesman told the Financial Times that it did not "tolerate any administration official illegally profiteering off of insider knowledge".

From BBC