racketeer 1 of 2

noun

ˌra-kə-ˈtir How to pronounce racketeer (audio)
Definition of racketeernext
as in gangster
a person who gets money from another by using force or threats the racketeer threatened to have his thugs vandalize the shop if the shopkeeper didn't pay him a monthly bribe

Synonyms & Similar Words

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racketeer

2 of 2

verb

as in to blackmail

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of racketeer
Noun
In a police photograph, Lansky stood next to racketeer Charles (Lucky) Luciano. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025 Oh yeah, this relationship with this 38-year-old racketeer is so beautiful. — Michael Cuby, Them, 1 Aug. 2024
Verb
Each man pleaded guilty to racketeering enterprise conspiracy, or RICO, charges that were brought last September as the third indictment in a sweeping MS-13 case first opened in 2017. — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 15 July 2025 The case for racketeering conspiracy Prosecutors’ toughest challenge will likely be securing a conviction on the racketeering conspiracy charge, experts agreed, citing its complexity and the novelty of its application in the Combs case. — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for racketeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racketeer
  1. gangster
  2. blackmail
  3. thug
  4. extort
  5. blackmailer
  6. muscle
  7. extortionist
  8. coerce
Noun
  • Badly in Love manages to break through because the cast of men and women looking for true love are from the Japanese yankii subculture—juvenile delinquents, motorcycle gangsters, troubled women, and more.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026
  • Ritchson plays a tough guy who falls for a local gangster’s girl.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 21 July 2026
Definition of gangster
Verb
  • Irene has blackmailed the Bohemian royal family, Carrie is a thief who has stolen rare stamps from a penniless woman unaware of their value, and Fanny disguises as a man to gain access to a bank vault.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
  • In the past, models from OpenAI and other providers were theoretically shown to be capable of blackmailing users to prevent shutdowns.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 July 2026
Definition of blackmail
Noun
  • Shortly after his big win, he’s attacked by two thugs in a parking garage.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
  • The night of the title fight, Duke is attacked by two thugs who smash his hand with a hammer and, in the ensuing chaos, kill somebody close to him.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
Definition of thug
Verb
  • In fact, the company claims that Afram and the production company are attempting to use the lawsuit to extort money from Netflix, including by issuing a demand letter for $165 million.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
  • Empact says there's also a growing use of artificial intelligence to extort and coerce juveniles into human trafficking.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of extort
Noun
  • The blackmailer continues to call her, demanding money in exchange for keeping her cam-boy secrets.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
  • On advice of his crisis lawyer Ira Slitz (Hill, unrecognizable with a bald head and gray beard), Reef sets out to apologize to everyone from his past who may be angry with him in an effort to find the blackmailer.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of blackmailer
Verb
  • Bleday should muscle up and match his career-high 20 home runs in a season with a homer tonight.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Flynn eventually received a diagnosis of viral myocarditis — inflammation of the heart muscle the myocardium that can reduce the organ’s ability to pump blood, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Definition of muscle
Noun
  • The restaurant owner, who did not wish to be identified because his family is still in India, said extortionists have threatened to kill them.
    — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
  • Insulted, Beth calls her an extortionist and walks out.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Definition of extortionist
Verb
  • Anna’s colleague Noa Toussaint (CCH Pounder) follows with a video of Max coercing his mistress into suicide, shattering the narrative that bought his freedom.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Empact says there's also a growing use of artificial intelligence to extort and coerce juveniles into human trafficking.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of coerce

Browse Nearby Words

racketed
racketeer
racketeered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Racketeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racketeer. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of racketeer for Spanish Speakers

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