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

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

The severe inflation of 1923 and the rise of the nationalist movement are portrayed in their true colors, but both the degree of profiteering and the engineering of right-wing coups are exaggerated for effect. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

His profiteering has drawn criticism from even the traditionally conservative editorial boards at the Wall Street Journal and New York Post, as well as the broader American populace. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 July 2026

Meanwhile, the country’s bankrupt government has struggled to crack down on unfair and illicit profiteering and the hoarding of fuel and other essential items. — Malak Harb, Fortune, 15 May 2026

The penalty mechanism was designed to prevent exactly that kind of profiteering, and backing down under industry pressure undermines the law voters and legislators put in place. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing profiteering

• anti-profiteering

Rhymes for profiteering

• commandeering
• disappearing
• domineering
• engineering
• interfering
• overhearing
• persevering
• pioneering
• privateering
• racketeering
• reappearing
• volunteering