profiteering: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumformal, critical
Quick answer
What does “profiteering” mean?
The act of making excessive or unfair profits, especially in times of crisis or scarcity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of making excessive or unfair profits, especially in times of crisis or scarcity.
Engaging in unethical business practices to maximize profits by exploiting market conditions, often at the expense of consumers or society.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in spelling or meaning; both varieties use the term similarly.
Connotations
Equally negative in both British and American English, associated with exploitation and unfair practices.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English due to historical usage, but widely understood and used in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “profiteering” in a Sentence
profiteering from [crisis/situation]engaged in profiteeringprofiteering on [essential goods]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “profiteering” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company is profiteering from the ongoing energy crisis.
- Traders were caught profiteering during the flood.
American English
- Businesses profiteered after the hurricane by raising prices.
- They profiteer from pharmaceutical shortages.
adverb
British English
- He acted profiteeringly by hoarding supplies.
- The goods were priced profiteeringly high during the pandemic.
American English
- They operated profiteeringly in the aftermath of the disaster.
- Prices were set profiteeringly to exploit demand.
adjective
British English
- Their profiteering tactics were exposed by the media.
- The government condemned the profiteering behaviour.
American English
- Profiteering practices led to an investigation by the FTC.
- The firm's profiteering activities harmed consumers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticism of companies for profiteering during supply chain disruptions or market monopolies.
Academic
Discussed in economics and sociology as a factor in inequality and market failures.
Everyday
Used by consumers to complain about unfair price hikes during emergencies or shortages.
Technical
In economic theory, refers to profit-maximizing behavior in imperfect markets that harms social welfare.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “profiteering”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “profiteering”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “profiteering”
- Using 'profiteering' to mean legitimate profit-making.
- Confusing it with 'profiting', which is neutral.
- Applying it in positive contexts, which is incorrect due to its negative connotation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always; it depends on local laws and regulations, but it is generally considered unethical and may be subject to legal action in many jurisdictions.
Yes, profiteering can happen in any sector, especially during crises or in markets with limited competition, such as healthcare, housing, or essential goods.
Legitimate profit-making is ethical and based on fair market practices, while profiteering involves exploiting situations to make excessive profits at the expense of others.
Through government regulations, price controls, antitrust laws, and promoting ethical business standards to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.
The act of making excessive or unfair profits, especially in times of crisis or scarcity.
Profiteering is usually formal, critical in register.
Profiteering: in British English it is pronounced /ˌprɒf.ɪˈtɪə.rɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌprɑː.fɪˈtɪr.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “profiteering at the expense of others”
- “war-time profiteering”
- “profiteering in times of need”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'profit' + 'eering' like 'engineering' profits in a greedy, unfair way.
Conceptual Metaphor
Profiteering is often metaphorically described as 'feeding on misery' or 'exploiting vulnerability'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of 'profiteering'?