If you describe someone as a profiteer, you are critical of them because they make large profits by charging high prices for goods that are hard to get.
[disapproval]
...a new social class composed largely of war profiteers and gangsters.
Synonyms: racketeer, exploiter, extortionist, bloodsucker [informal] More Synonyms of profiteer
More Synonyms of profiteer
profiteer in British English
(ˌprɒfɪˈtɪə)
noun
1.
a person who makes excessive profits, esp by charging exorbitant prices for goods in short supply
verb
2. (intransitive)
to make excessive profits
Derived forms
profiteering (ˌprofiˈteering)
noun
profiteer in American English
(ˌprɑfɪˈtɪr)
noun
1.
a person who makes excessive profits, esp. by taking advantage of a shortage of supply to charge exorbitant prices
verb intransitive
2.
to be a profiteer
Word origin
profit + -eer
Synonyms of 'profiteer'
racketeer, exploiter, extortionist, bloodsucker
overcharge, racketeer, make a quick buck, make a quick killing
More Synonyms of profiteer
(noun)
Definition
a person who makes excessive profits at the expense of the public
a social class composed largely of war profiteers and gangsters
Synonyms
racketeer
exploiter
extortionist
bloodsucker (informal)
black marketeer
(verb)
Definition
to make excessive profits
Retailers could profiteer through imposing surcharges.