racketeer

noun
UK: /ˌræ.kɪˈtɪər/
US: /ˌræ.kɪˈtɪr/

  1. A person who engages in illegal business practices, often involving threats or extortion.

    1. The racketeer was arrested by the police for running an illegal gambling operation.
    2. Local business owners were afraid to speak out against the racketeer's demands for protection money.

  2. Someone who makes money through dishonest or illegal means, especially by exploiting a particular situation.

    1. He was exposed as a racketeer who had been scamming investors for years.
    2. The public was outraged when they learned how the racketeer had profited from the housing crisis.

Synonyms

criminal gangster fraudster
racketeer intransitive-verb

  1. To obtain money illegally through threats or dishonest business dealings.

    1. The gang tried to racketeer money from the shop owners.
    2. They racketeer by threatening to damage shops if owners don't pay them.

  2. To engage in dishonest and fraudulent practices, especially for financial gain.

    1. The company was accused of racketeering and defrauding customers on a large scale.
    2. The investigation revealed how the corrupt officials had been racketeering for years.
racketeer transitive-verb

  1. To obtain something by operating a racket.

    1. He tried to racketeer the store owners into buying protection.
    2. The mafia planned to racketeer several businesses in the downtown area.

  2. To obtain money by operating an illegal scheme.

    1. The corrupt officials attempted to racketeer funds from the construction project.
    2. They were caught trying to racketeer funds from the charity event, facing severe penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "racketeer" in English means: A person who engages in illegal business practices, often involving threats or extortion., Someone who makes money through dishonest or illegal means, especially by exploiting a particular situation..

The phonetic transcription of "racketeer" is /ˌræ.kɪˈtɪər/ in British English and /ˌræ.kɪˈtɪr/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "racketeer": criminal, gangster, fraudster.

Example usage of "racketeer": "The racketeer was arrested by the police for running an illegal gambling operation.". More examples on the page.