racketeer

[ rak-i-teer ]

noun

1. a person engaged in a racket.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in a racket.

racketeer

/ ˌrækɪˈtɪə /

noun

1. a person engaged in illegal enterprises for profit

verb

1. intr to operate a racket

Derived Forms

• ˌrackeˈteering, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of racketeer¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; racket ¹ + -eer

Example Sentences

RICO is the acronym for the Racketeer-influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Duffy, it happened, was Big Bill Duffy, a jolly henchman of Owney Madden, the racketeer.

From The Daily Beast

He could, however, be a racketeer specializing in bookmaking, gambling, drug dealing, and assorted other crime.

From The Daily Beast

He was a raider, a racketeer, not a leader of purposeful men.

From Project Gutenberg

Her racketeer sweetie has a long arm, however, and Nita gets hers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• extortionist
• loan shark
• mobster