profiteering
noun
prof·i·teer·ing
ˌprä-fə-ˈtir-iŋ 
: 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
Thomas E. RicksThe real estate culture in Florida had pushed profiteering to new levels, in large part because of its condominium economy.—Paul Reyes
Paul ReyesExamples of profiteering in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In some countries, such profiteering might generate a popular backlash against the military.
—Mohammed Hanif, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2018
In early 2023, Ukraine’s parliament passed new laws to regulate how drone manufacturers can contract with the state; while profiteering is generally discouraged in the wartime economy, the law specifically allows the companies to charge up to 25 percent profit.
—Justin Ling, WIRED, 2 May 2024
For far too long, ideological extremism, political cowardice, cynical exploitation, and war profiteering have been ceded an effective veto power over finding a pragmatic resolution to the conflict, while the blood of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples continues to flow.
—Ziad Asali, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2024
Close off one loophole to corporate profiteering at patients’ expense, and someone will find a workaround.
—Tara Bannow, STAT, 1 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for profiteering 
Mohammed Hanif, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2018
In early 2023, Ukraine’s parliament passed new laws to regulate how drone manufacturers can contract with the state; while profiteering is generally discouraged in the wartime economy, the law specifically allows the companies to charge up to 25 percent profit.
—Justin Ling, WIRED, 2 May 2024
For far too long, ideological extremism, political cowardice, cynical exploitation, and war profiteering have been ceded an effective veto power over finding a pragmatic resolution to the conflict, while the blood of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples continues to flow.
—Ziad Asali, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2024
Close off one loophole to corporate profiteering at patients’ expense, and someone will find a workaround.
—Tara Bannow, STAT, 1 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for profiteering
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'profiteering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near profiteering
Cite this Entry
“Profiteering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profiteering. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share