robber baron
noun
1
: an American capitalist of the latter part of the 19th century who became wealthy through exploitation (as of natural resources, governmental influence, or low wage scales)
2
: a business owner or executive who acquires wealth through ethically questionable tactics
Examples of robber baron in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One of its titans, the robber baron George Russell (Morgan Spector), envisions an express line that will enable cross-country transport at an unprecedented pace.
—
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
In the third season of HBO’s The Gilded Age, a frothy costume drama set amid the robber barons and socialites of 1880s New York, a servant suddenly comes into money.
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 June 2025
Many believe that Trump actually hopes to return to the relatively brief Gilded Age, the years between 1870 and 1890 during which captains of industry/robber barons flourished, aided in large part by the expansion of the railroads (at the hands, it must be noted, of Chinese and Irish immigrants).
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
On one hand, building space colonies is advice that multi-billionaire robber baron, Elon Musk, would heartily approve of, but Dr Gee’s recommendation feels more like a stopgap measure to me.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
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Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
In the third season of HBO’s The Gilded Age, a frothy costume drama set amid the robber barons and socialites of 1880s New York, a servant suddenly comes into money.
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 June 2025
Many believe that Trump actually hopes to return to the relatively brief Gilded Age, the years between 1870 and 1890 during which captains of industry/robber barons flourished, aided in large part by the expansion of the railroads (at the hands, it must be noted, of Chinese and Irish immigrants).
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
On one hand, building space colonies is advice that multi-billionaire robber baron, Elon Musk, would heartily approve of, but Dr Gee’s recommendation feels more like a stopgap measure to me.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for robber baron
Cite this Entry
“Robber baron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robber%20baron. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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