profiteering

[pro-fi-teer-ing]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of profiteering¹

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

Example Sentences

The Newcastle United Supporters' Trust previously "welcomed" the club "taking visible action to deter and penalise those who may be profiteering from other fans".

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His new strain is where the episode’s title come from and is a manifestation of corporate greed, tragedy profiteering, and empty signaling from brands.

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Advocates call out people they see as hoarding matcha or profiteering from its popularity.

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"People were saying it was all my fault," she says, with many comments accusing her of profiteering from her son's illness by continuing to post content on social media.

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He said there were "a huge amount of people" who were "profiteering" - but that in those cases, investors were at least getting a product.

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Related Words

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