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

Each man pleaded guilty to racketeering enterprise conspiracy, or RICO, charges that were brought last September as the third indictment in a sweeping MS-13 case first opened in 2017. — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 15 July 2025 The case for racketeering conspiracy Prosecutors’ toughest challenge will likely be securing a conviction on the racketeering conspiracy charge, experts agreed, citing its complexity and the novelty of its application in the Combs case. — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for racketeer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for racketeer

Noun

Certain alleyways were favored for chases and gangster murders.

— Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
When citizens rioted in 1918 because the prices of essential commodities such as rice had spiralled out of control, gangsters were hired to crack down on the protesters.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of gangster

Verb

Racketeers blackmailed companies and executives, threatened to disrupt shareholder meetings, or intimidated other shareholders to keep quiet.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
As the deadline approached, Claude responded by threatening to blackmail Johnson, revealing the affair to his wife and coworkers unless the replacement was called off.

— Kevin Roose, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of blackmail

Verb

Among the new rackets were providing cheap workers to new industries, ruling the docks of large port cities, extorting money from trading companies, and working for political parties to intimidate rival voters.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Hill alleged school board members tried to extort her into resigning in a memo sent to the board ahead of her firing.

— Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of extort

Noun

Apple’s decision to briefly remove Telegram from the App Store has been blamed on a blackmailer duping the company into executing a takedown, according to Telegram’s CEO.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
The blackmailer continues to call her, demanding money in exchange for keeping her cam-boy secrets.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026

Definition of blackmailer

Verb

Where one of his horses might have tried muscling their way out of the Shake Shack to get away from Harkness, the wily Lamb simply creates a big scene over a patron asking him to stop smoking.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
The actor has also been muscling his way into movies, appearing as part of the ensemble of the 2023 Fast & Furious movie Fast 10 and in 2024’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare from Lionsgate.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of muscle

Noun

Carrot Top's lawyer has filed an emergency motion to prevent his alleged extortionist and former friend, Brian Evans, from filing more documents.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
There still will be scammers, extortionists, extremists and others who try to take advantage of teens and adults.

— Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of extortionist

Verb

On July 23, 1973, tragedy rippled through the Mexican American community when 12-year-old Santos Rodriguez was shot and killed by a Dallas police officer who tried to coerce him into confessing to a burglary by playing Russian roulette.

— Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Doe alleges in her lawsuit that she was coerced into using drugs before the assault.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Oct. 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 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of racketeer

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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