RACKETEER Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

racketeer 1 of 2

noun

ˌra-kə-ˈtir

Definition of racketeer

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

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racketeer

2 of 2

verb

as in to blackmail

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of racketeer

Noun

In a police photograph, Lansky stood next to racketeer Charles (Lucky) Luciano. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 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

In Gosha’s case, that involves getting mixed up with gangsters at a seedy nightclub, a sequence that quickly deteriorates from being mildly comical to sinister to outright terrifying by even degrees.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
It a strange, mystical Bond movie, that’s part an attempt at Blacksploitation and part about Harlem gangsters, Caribbean drug farming, and voodoo-practicing witch doctors.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of gangster

Verb

Some students discovered the account and blackmailed Nichols into giving them better grades, the warrant states.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Before work, Geri heads off to question Joyce Tercek, the Yale admissions lady that Dennis blackmailed in the elevator a few episodes ago.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 1 July 2026

Definition of blackmail

Noun

Threatening to limit mail-in voting, adding ridiculous ID requirements, or staging thugs at polling places are other possible ways to convince you to stay home.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2026
To be sure, the thugs of Hamas and Hezbollah committed a horrific massacre of young Jewish civilians enjoying a music festival on October 7, 2023.

— DP Opinion, Denver Post, 6 July 2026

Definition of thug

Verb

According to the complaint, DGCIM officers repeatedly beat him, fractured his back, administered electric shocks — including to his genitals — and threatened to kill him while extorting money from his wife.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Ransomware encrypts and steals data from computer networks in order to extort ransom payments.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Definition of extort

Noun

The blackmailer continues to call her, demanding money in exchange for keeping her cam-boy secrets.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
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

Definition of blackmailer

Verb

The streaks abruptly ended when De Ketelaere muscled past Cubarsí and headed home a cross from Timothy Castagne for Belgium’s tying goal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Vance also appears willing to muscle Israel into accepting whatever outcome the Iran talks deliver.

— Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026

Definition of muscle

Verb

Enterprises that route requests between multiple models can be coerced into selecting the weakest route.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
What’s not clear is whether the department will eventually use its muscle to coerce builders, suppliers, and property owners into upgrading their sheds and fielding them more sparingly.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 June 2026

Definition of coerce

Browse Nearby Words

racketed

racketeer

racketeered

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Style

“Racketeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racketeer. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of racketeer

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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