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
Relevance
as in to blackmail
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of racketeer
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
Oh yeah, this relationship with this 38-year-old racketeer is so beautiful.
—Michael Cuby, Them, 1 Aug. 2024
Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
Three co-defendants accepted plea deals earlier this week on racketeering conspiracy charges and were sentenced to probation and time served.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for racketeer
Noun
In the other corner: Vito Genovese, Costello’s childhood friend and fellow racketeer, who had to leave town long ago because of a thing, and has now come home to resume his place in the Mafia hierarchy.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
Oh yeah, this relationship with this 38-year-old racketeer is so beautiful.
—Michael Cuby, Them, 1 Aug. 2024
Verb
Conahan pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
Three co-defendants accepted plea deals earlier this week on racketeering conspiracy charges and were sentenced to probation and time served.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for racketeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racketeer
Noun
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Despite rumors swirling since last week that the actor would not return for a third season, sources confirmed discussions are underway to find a way for Hardy (who plays gangster Harry Da Souza in the Paramount+ show) to come back.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
In every revolution, there are gangsters.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Verb
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This comes on the heels of reports of thousands of iPhone thefts in London, with their owners being blackmailed or threatened into giving the thieves their Apple ID credentials, so the thieves can unlock, wipe, and resell the phones.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
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However, Jimmy discovers that Michael was secretly selling the voice and likeness of clients to AI companies without their consent and uses that revelation to blackmail him into stepping down.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
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The fact that this racist thug has been handed policing power by Netanyahu says more about the state of Israel’s democracy and political values—and in particular about the prime minister’s values—than many Israelis might like to admit.—
Avi Issacharoff,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
-
White thugs destroyed it in the 1921 Race Massacre.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Davis has countersued for $20 million, alleging Rossel fabricated the claims and attempted to extort him.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
28 May 2026
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Dixie subsequently prevented Don from seeing Blue for much of his life, using his existence to threaten and extort Don.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The blackmailer continues to call her, demanding money in exchange for keeping her cam-boy secrets.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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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
Verb
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But Hamel muscled well more than that extra foot for a three-run home run just two innings later, walking off a 15-1 win in five innings.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The Antonoff of the early Bleachers albums was pop’s pint-sized pugilist, muscling his way to the front of the pack.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Insulted, Beth calls her an extortionist and walks out.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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As the bomb squad works to disarm it, FBI rushes to catch the extortionists.—
William Earl,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The attorney general's office said Soto used false promises and drugs to coerce women into prostitution.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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The thoughtlessness with which this bride coerced you into subsidizing her wedding was stunning.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Racketeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racketeer. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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