loan shark

noun

: one who lends money to individuals at exorbitant rates of interest

Examples of loan shark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Stripped of their credit cards, some will turn to payday lenders, loan sharks and pawn shops, whose charges are far higher. — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 13 Dec. 2025 Nate was being held hostage by loan sharks, who gave Cassie three days to come up with the money to save him. — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 Predatory lenders and loan sharks offer merchant cash advances. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026 His father was a factory worker and a barber, as well as a bootlegger and loan shark. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loan shark

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loan shark was in 1905

Rhymes for loan shark

See All Rhymes for loan shark

Browse Nearby Words

loan paper
loan shark
loan-sharking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loan shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loan%20shark. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

loan shark

noun
: a person who lends money at very high rates of interest
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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