profiteering

noun

prof·​i·​teer·​ing ˌprä-fə-ˈtir-iŋ How to pronounce profiteering (audio)
: the act or activity of making an unreasonable profit on the sale of essential goods especially during times of emergency
… investigations unearthed information about industrial profiteering during the First World War …Thomas E. Ricks
The real estate culture in Florida had pushed profiteering to new levels, in large part because of its condominium economy.Paul Reyes

Examples of profiteering 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.
Worse, these lawyers take pride in their profiteering. MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 Authorities were ordered to take action against the hoarding, profiteering and manipulation of the supply of petroleum products. ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026 The order authorizes the country's Department of Energy to make advance payments of 15% to secure fuel contracts while taking direct action against hoarding or profiteering. CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026 To truly even the playing field, upstanding attorneys should support cracking down on fraud and profiteering — and ending the exploitation of our most vulnerable. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for profiteering

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of profiteering was in 1814

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Cite this Entry

“Profiteering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profiteering. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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