racketeering

American

[rak-i-teer-ing] / ˌræk ɪˈtɪər ɪŋ /

noun

the practice of conducting or engaging in a racket, as extortion or bootlegging.

Other Word Forms

antiracketeering adjective

Etymology

Origin of racketeering

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; racketeer + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The DOJ shut down over 60 union corruption and labor racketeering cases, 2.5 times the number in Trump’s first term.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

In the years since, the musicians presented a united front as Young Thug faced a lengthy and high-profile federal racketeering trial that lasted from November 2023 to December 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025

“No such federal investigation exists; no law enforcement agency has initiated any criminal proceedings or investigations related to racketeering charges against Ms. Kardashian or Ms. Jenner; and no credible evidence whatsoever supports these inflammatory allegations.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2025

Combs' acquittal on the most serious charge of racketeering will likely be seen as a big win by his legal team.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

They were mostly in for white-collar crimes, money schemes, fraud and racketeering.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023