antitrust: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal; technical (legal, business, economic, political)
Quick answer
What does “antitrust” mean?
relating to laws or policies designed to prevent or restrict business monopolies and promote fair competition.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
relating to laws or policies designed to prevent or restrict business monopolies and promote fair competition.
The broader legal and economic field concerned with regulating anti-competitive practices, collusion, and abuse of dominant market position. It encompasses both legislation and enforcement actions against companies that act in restraint of free trade.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal concepts are similar, but the term 'antitrust' is distinctly American in origin and primary usage. In the UK and EU, the more common equivalent term is 'competition law' or 'anti-competition'.
Connotations
In the US, 'antitrust' carries strong historical and political connotations, evoking figures like Theodore Roosevelt and landmark cases against Standard Oil or AT&T. In the UK/EU, the term is often seen as an Americanism, with domestic discourse preferring 'competition'.
Frequency
The word is significantly more frequent in American English. In British English, 'competition law/policy/rules' are the default terms in legal, media, and business contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “antitrust” in a Sentence
[adjective] + antitrust + [noun] (e.g., strict antitrust laws)[verb] + antitrust + [noun] (e.g., face antitrust charges, violate antitrust rules)under + antitrust + [noun] (e.g., under antitrust review, under antitrust law)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antitrust” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form. 'To antitrust' is not a verb.]
American English
- [No standard verb form. 'To antitrust' is not a verb.]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form. 'Antitrustly' is not a word.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form. 'Antitrustly' is not a word.]
adjective
British English
- The Competition and Markets Authority launched an antitrust inquiry.
- The new digital markets regime has strong antitrust objectives.
American English
- The Justice Department filed an antitrust suit to block the acquisition.
- The tech giant is facing mounting antitrust pressure from regulators.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company is reviewing the merger for potential antitrust implications before submitting the proposal.
Academic
The paper examines the evolution of antitrust doctrine through a neo-institutionalist lens.
Everyday
People were glad the government used antitrust laws to stop the two big mobile networks from merging.
Technical
The agency is assessing whether the dominant firm's exclusive contracts constitute a per se antitrust violation under Section 1 of the Sherman Act.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antitrust”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antitrust”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antitrust”
- Using it as a standalone noun (*'He was sued for antitrust.') – it is almost always an adjective modifying a noun like 'laws' or 'case'.
- Using it in non-legal/commercial contexts.
- Spelling as two words ('anti trust') – it is a closed compound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, closed compound word: 'antitrust'.
No, 'antitrust' is only an adjective (e.g., antitrust laws). There is no standard verb form 'to antitrust'.
They refer to the same broad field of law (preventing monopolies). 'Antitrust' is the traditional American term with specific historical roots, while 'competition law' is the more common, generic term used in the UK, EU, and many other jurisdictions.
No. Here, a 'trust' is an archaic term for a large business combination or cartel that controls a market. 'Antitrust' literally means 'against such trusts'.
relating to laws or policies designed to prevent or restrict business monopolies and promote fair competition.
Antitrust is usually formal; technical (legal, business, economic, political) in register.
Antitrust: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæntiˈtrʌst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæntiˈtrʌst/ˌæntaɪˈtrʌst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The term is technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTI-TRUST = being AGAINST (anti) a large, powerful group you must TRUST because they have no competition.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A SHIELD (against monopolistic power). COMPETITION IS A BATTLE (antitrust laws are the rules of engagement).
Practice
Quiz
In a British legal context, which term is most equivalent to the American 'antitrust law'?