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Definition of racketeer

racketeer

/ˌræk.əˈtɪr/
rack · et · eer
Plural:racketeers
•
Past Simple:racketeered
•
Past Participle:racketeered
•
Present Participle:racketeering
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racketeer Lexical Profile

racketeer Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who engages in dishonest and fraudulent business dealings, especially one who extorts money through organized crime or an illegal scheme.

Example

"The federal prosecutor spent years gathering financial records to indict the notorious racketeer."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for racketeer

• verb

1

To carry on a dishonest or fraudulent scheme, or to extort money through illegal enterprise.

Example

"Several corrupt officials were convicted of conspiring to racketeer within the municipal construction industry."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for racketeer

• Rhymes for racketeer

• Nearby Words

racist
rack
racket
racketeer
racketeering
rackets
racking

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English in the 1920s during the Prohibition era, formed from 'racket' (in the sense of an illegal scheme or fraudulent business, likely from earlier British cant meaning a noisy disturbance used as a distraction for theft) plus the agent suffix '-eer'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Racketeer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/racketeer
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