profiteer

noun

prof·​i·​teer ˌprä-fə-ˈtir How to pronounce profiteer (audio)
Synonyms of profiteernext
: one who makes what is considered an unreasonable profit especially on the sale of essential goods during times of emergency
profiteer intransitive verb

Examples of profiteer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
As long as there have been wars, there have been war profiteers. — Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 28 June 2026 But Congo has long been part of a frustrating region for would-be peacemakers and profiteers. — Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026 Facebook stands accused of giving unscrupulous profiteers, politicians, and anyone else willing to pay the ability to change minds about everything from who to vote for to whether to get the vaccine. — Simon Hill, Wired News, 17 Nov. 2025 Maintaining the 'European path to peace/victory' only enriches war profiteers and neglects both sides' requests for security. — Joshua Sammons, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for profiteer

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of profiteer was in 1912

Rhymes for profiteer

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Browse Nearby Words

profit center
profiteer
profiteering
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Profiteer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profiteer. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

profiteer

noun
prof·​i·​teer ˌpräf-ə-ˈti(ə)r How to pronounce profiteer (audio)
: a person who makes an unfair profit especially on essential goods during an emergency
profiteer verb

Legal Definition

profiteer

noun
prof·​i·​teer ˌprä-fə-ˈtir How to pronounce profiteer (audio)
: one who makes an unreasonable profit especially on the sale of essential goods during times of emergency (as during wartime)
profiteer intransitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on profiteer

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for profiteer

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