profiteer

[ prof-i-teer ]

/ ˌprɒf ɪˈtɪər /

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See synonyms for: profiteer / profiteering on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who seeks or exacts exorbitant profits, especially through the sale of scarce or rationed goods.

verb (used without object)

to act as a profiteer.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of profiteer

First recorded in 1910–15; profit + -eer

OTHER WORDS FROM profiteer

an·ti·prof·i·teer·ing, adjectivenon·prof·it·eer·ing, nounun·prof·it·eer·ing, adjective

Words nearby profiteer

profitable, profit and loss, profit and loss account, profit center, profit centre, profiteer, profiteering, profiterole, profit margin, profit motive, profit sharing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use profiteer in a sentence

Many liberals see Musk as a rapacious profiteer whose dealings with government are aimed at maximizing his income and evading responsibility.
What Elon Musk Really Believes|Molly Ball|April 26, 2022|Time
The currency reform of December 1947 aimed to take excess cash out of circulation and penalize war profiteers.
The ruble has plummeted. It’s not the first time.|Kristy Ironside|February 28, 2022|Washington Post
Here, we’re also introduced to the first of many faceless profiteers – ruthless but necessary to the journey – who gain from human desperation.
‘Flight,’ an astonishing tale told using diorama and figures|Patrick Folliard|January 12, 2022|Washington Blade
Philadelphia’s local real estate lobby launched a press campaign that sought to distinguish what the industry today calls “mom-and-pop landlords” from the popularly vilified “rent profiteers.”
The Supreme Court ended the eviction ban but not the fight against evictions|Maia Silber|September 9, 2021|Washington Post

Indeed, some of the biggest profiteers from this week’s market action are asset managers like BlackRock, market-makers like Citadel, and the private equity giant Silver Lake.
The GameStop bubble isn’t a revolt against Wall Street|Tim Fernholz|January 30, 2021|Quartz
In their eyes, Rove is more Wizard of Oz than Architect, more profiteer than player.
Republicans Push Back as Rove Aims to Appoint Himself Kingmaker|Lloyd Green|February 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Had he kept the money he will earn from his memoirs, he would surely have been condemned as some kind of war profiteer.
Tony Blair's Philanthropy Fiasco|Alex Massie|August 21, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The law of supply and demand, as applied to eggs, together with the local brand of profiteer, was the cause.
Eastern Nights - and Flights|Alan Bott
The speculation and graft were colossal, and beyond the most extravagant dreams of the British brand of war profiteer.
Eastern Nights - and Flights|Alan Bott
It is not my purpose to dwell upon those disgraceful landlords who profiteer.
The Seven Ages of Man|Ralph Bergengren
I nearly asked if he was a little dog-fish—this being the Italian for profiteer, but refrained in time.
Sea and Sardinia|D. H. Lawrence
In the selfishness of the "profiteer," as we now call him, Punch sees a sure provocative of Communism.
Mr. Punch's History of Modern England Vol. II (of IV),--1857-1874|Charles L. Graves

British Dictionary definitions for profiteer

profiteer

/ (ˌprɒfɪˈtɪə) /

noun

a person who makes excessive profits, esp by charging exorbitant prices for goods in short supply

verb

(intr) to make excessive profits

Derived forms of profiteer

profiteering, noun

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

profiteer

Origin of profiteer

OTHER WORDS FROM profiteer

Words nearby profiteer

Words related to profiteer

How to use profiteer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for profiteer

Derived forms of profiteer