robber baron

American  

noun

1. History/Historical. a noble who robbed travelers passing through his lands.

2. a ruthlessly powerful U.S. capitalist or industrialist of the late 19th century considered to have become wealthy by exploiting natural resources, corrupting legislators, or other unethical means.

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Etymology

Origin of robber baron

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Government and private money are flowing in quantities that would make a Gilded Age robber baron blush.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 23, 2025

As the revelations pile up, we learn that Bron is the film’s true villain: A rapacious, not-as-bright-as-he-seems robber baron whose unchecked ego and ambitions lead to his spectacular downfall.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2022

And of course, Disney keeps mining "Star Wars" and Marvel like a robber baron.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2022

Jay Gould, a robber baron of the late 19th century who helped build the U.S. railroad network system, funded deals partly with wealth accumulated through his Wall Street gambles.

From New York Times • May 20, 2022

There were as many armed men in Europe in the days when the robber baron carried on his occupation as there are in our day.

From The Great Illusion A Study of the Relation of Military Power to National Advantage by Angell, Norman