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Synonyms

usurious

American  
[yoo-zhoor-ee-uhs] / juˈʒʊər i əs /

adjective

  1. practicing usury; charging illegal or exorbitant rates of interest for the use of money.

    a usurious moneylender.

  2. constituting or characterized by usury.

    usurious rates of interest; a usurious loan.


Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of usurious

First recorded in 1600–10; usury + -ous


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.

See Examples For:

An auto lender that allegedly charged hidden, usurious interest rates got to stay in business last year if it paid a fine and didn’t commit fraud in the future.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 28, 2024

Some banks that boast of having eliminated overdraft fees, for instance, do so by enrolling their customers in services through which they’ll cover your bills, but charge usurious interest rates for the excess.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 7, 2023

Consider bail bond companies, which charge usurious fees to those desperate to get loved ones out of jail.

From Slate ● Dec. 20, 2022

Nearly two decades ago, the state made it a felony to offer high-interest payday loans that state lawmakers described as usurious.

From Salon ● Nov. 15, 2022

He was holding the Lombard back and shouting, “You offer a usurious rate! Forty percent! Forty! My uncle offered thirty. Thirty is reasonable! Thirty is standard! But thirty is undercutting now?”

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

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