profiteering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'profiteering' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of making a large profit from the sale of goods or services, often at the expense of ethics. For example, "The company has been accused of profiteering, by charging exorbitant prices for basic necessities during the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although a bill officially appointing the central bank as the industry's regulator is languishing in parliament, these moves have helped stem what M.R. Rao, the boss of SKS, calls a "fear of contagion", the worry that other states will copy Andhra Pradesh and suddenly draw up new rules.The guidelines try to draw a line between profits and profiteering.

The Economist

Yet they constantly betray their view that profit is suspect (hence "rip-off Britain"; hence "profiteering" in almost any industry where prices are going up, regardless of the extent of competition) and that any activity undertaken for self-interested reasons is tainted (such and such is "too important to be left to the market").

The Economist

A major housebuilding programme is needed, but it needs to be public housing alongside rent controls to stop landlords profiteering from housing benefits.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is the latest in a series of fines and charges imposed on energy companies, which are also under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority amid widespread claims of profiteering.

The Guardian - Business

As a result, vital public services that people have taken for granted for the past 50 years will either disappear or exist only in a skeletal form, and probably run by profiteering private companies.

The Guardian

Not to be outsmarted, on November 16th the government extended price controls to practically everything, from typewriters to babies' nappies.Some things have to be imported, however, and it is hard to prevent foreigners from profiteering.

The Economist

They are seldom used to trading, and are sometimes uncomfortable with the idea of "profiteering" from a system designed to cut pollution.

The Economist

The main protest group calls itself, in creole, Movement against Pwofitayson, a blend of the words "profiteering" and "exploitation".

The Economist

Islamist Maseratis ReprintsIn the run-up to June's presidential election, rival camps accuse each other of profiteering.

The Economist

A few key executives have left, and there are many claims that the company needs another merger or acquisition to boost its earnings and shore up its falling share price.In addition, growing public frustration at the cost of drugs, in America and in the developing world, leaves companies open to accusations of profiteering.

The Economist

WHEN finance is not being blamed for wrecking the economy, it is being attacked for profiteering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profiteering" when you want to emphasize the unethical or exploitative nature of making a profit, especially in situations where there is a public need or vulnerability.

Common error

Avoid using "profiteering" when simply describing a company making a large profit. The term carries a negative connotation and should be reserved for situations where the profit-making is genuinely considered unethical or exploitative. For example, use it for price gouging during a natural disaster, not for general business success.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "profiteering" is as a noun, often used to describe the act of making excessive profits in exploitative circumstances. As noted by Ludwig AI, it implies an unreasonable profit, unjustified by risk or ethics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "profiteering" carries a strong negative connotation, denoting the act of making excessive and often unethical profits, particularly during times of crisis or vulnerability. According to Ludwig AI, this term is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Analysis of usage patterns reveals that it's frequently found in news and media, where it is used to criticize businesses or individuals accused of exploiting situations for financial gain. While alternatives like "making a substantial profit" exist, they lack the critical edge of "profiteering", making it a powerful tool when highlighting ethical concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

price gouging

Focuses specifically on raising prices excessively during emergencies or periods of high demand.

rent seeking

Describes the act of manipulating the economic environment to extract value without creating wealth.

opportunistic exploitation

Highlights the act of taking advantage of circumstances unfairly for personal gain.

unjust enrichment

Emphasizes the unethical aspect of gaining wealth unfairly at the expense of others.

excessive charging

Directly points to the action of overpricing goods or services.

windfall gains

Implies profits gained unexpectedly, often due to external factors.

ill-gotten gains

Focuses on the immoral or illegal nature of acquired profits.

fleecing the public

Emphasizes the act of deceiving or cheating the public for financial advantage.

exploitative pricing

Highlights the unfair and manipulative nature of pricing strategies.

taking advantage

A more general term for leveraging a situation for personal benefit, which can sometimes be interpreted as "profiteering".

FAQs

How is "profiteering" different from simply making a profit?

"Profiteering" implies making an excessive or unfair profit, often by exploiting a situation like a shortage or emergency. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting unethical behavior, while simply making a profit is a neutral term.

When is it appropriate to use the term "profiteering"?

Use "profiteering" when accusing a company or individual of exploiting a situation to make an unreasonable profit at the expense of others, particularly during times of crisis or vulnerability. For example, it might be appropriate when companies engage in "price gouging" during a natural disaster.

What are some alternative phrases for "profiteering" that don't carry such a negative connotation?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "making a substantial profit", "capitalizing on an opportunity", or "taking advantage of market conditions". However, be aware that these phrases can still be interpreted negatively if the situation involves exploitation or unfair practices.

Is "profiteering" always illegal?

While "profiteering" often implies unethical behavior, it's not always illegal. Some forms of "price gouging" during emergencies are illegal in some jurisdictions. In general, the legality depends on specific laws and regulations governing pricing and market practices.