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.
The 56-year-old actor can be seen running around New York City and fighting off aggressive loan sharks in the new Netflix series Black Rabbit. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025 In the crime-thriller miniseries from Netflix, Jude Law’s rising restauranteur is thrust into New York City’s dark underbelly when his ne’er do well brother (Jason Bateman) returns with loan sharks on his tail. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2025 The former is the owner of a New York City hotspot; the latter is a man on the run from loan sharks, with heaps of personal issues and bad debts hounding him. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 We’re then introduced to Louie, a thug who works for a loan shark, threatening and killing people. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loan shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loan%20shark. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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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