robber barons

Cultural  

1. A term applied to certain leading American businessmen of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including Cornelius Vanderbilt and John D. Rockefeller. The term suggests that they acquired their wealth by means more often foul than fair.

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Example Sentences

Like Mrs. Parish, who freshened up the Kennedy White House, and Mr. Hampton, who elevated the habitats of 1980s-era robber barons, Ms. Rheinstein brought an American freshness to English country style.

From New York Times

Through their 21st century "precision scheduling railroading," these latter-day robber barons where putting workers' safety and the community's well-being at risk.

From Salon

Since the 1980s, the nation had gone from close to 50 Class 1 railroads down to just seven with the Wall Street monopoly power akin to the 19th-century robber barons.

From Salon

Union officials described how the nation's rail industry had gone from close to 50 Class 1 railroads in the 1980s down to just seven with the monopoly power associated with the 19th-century robber barons.

From Salon

America's 21st century railroad robber barons were off the hook for sick days thanks to their bipartisan lock on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

From Salon