racketeer
noun
rack·e·teer
| \ ˌra-kə-ˈtir
\
\
Definition of racketeer
(Entry 1 of 2)
: one who obtains money by an illegal enterprise usually involving intimidation
racketeer
verb
racketeered;
racketeering;
racketeers
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Synonyms for racketeer
Synonyms: Noun
blackmailer, extortioner, extortionist
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Examples of racketeer in a Sentence
Noun
the racketeer threatened to have his thugs vandalize the shop if the shopkeeper didn't pay him a monthly bribeRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
Based on the violent life of the racketeer who ruled Chicago’s criminal underworld during the ‘20s and ‘30s. — Los Angeles Times, "Here are the feature and TV films airing the week of Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019," 11 Aug. 2019 The film follows Brickman who grows up among racketeers on the Lower East Side of New York City where she’s drawn to the glamorous and flashy lifestyle of New York mobsters. — James Hibberd, EW.com, "Jennifer Lawrence to star in Mob Girl adaptation," 24 July 2019 At one point, former boxing champ Abe Attell, a bagman for New York City racketeer Arnold Rothstein, waved $1,000 bills in the Sinton’s lobby while soliciting bets on the Reds. — Katherine Rodeghier, chicagotribune.com, "From scandals to milestones, an expanded museum and tours celebrate 150 years of baseball in Cincinnati," 12 June 2019 Its triad of main characters consists of Eddie Kerrigan, a bagman for a penny-ante racketeer; his charismatic daughter Anna; and Dexter Styles, a dapper nightclub owner and a big cheese in a major crime syndicate. — Sam Sacks, WSJ, "The Best New Fiction," 29 Sep. 2017 Its triad of main characters consists of Eddie Kerrigan, a bagman for a penny-ante racketeer — Sam Sacks, WSJ, "The Best New Fiction," 29 Sep. 2017 And whatever remote chance there was that the crisis could be calmed by talking it out vanished when a federal grand jury in Miami indicted Noriega as a drug racketeer. — Glenn Garvin, miamiherald, "Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega is dead," 30 May 2017 At upper left is Mike Elliott, whose campaign for Multnomah County sheriff would be financed by gambling racketeers. — OregonLive.com, "Portland gloried in its sexy, secret gambling dens in the 1930s: Take our walking tour," 23 May 2017 Yet amid all the transformation, some investigators say, racketeers and mobsters are still as present as the barnacles attached to the piers. — Joseph Goldstein, New York Times, "Along New York Harbor, ‘On the Waterfront’ Endures," 6 Jan. 2017Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Devine pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to one count of racketeering conspiracy. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "4 Corner Hustler pleads guilty to racketeering in Chicago," 22 Aug. 2019 His conviction follows the April guilty plea by his top lieutenant in the group, Mack, to racketeering conspiracy and racketeering charges. — Aurelie Corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Lifetime Is Making a NXIVM Sex Cult Movie After Founder Keith Raniere's Conviction," 1 July 2019 Federal prosecutors recently indicted two alleged members of the Evans Mob on racketeering conspiracy charges accusing the gang of using murder, assault and other acts of violence to protect territory and boost its status on social media. — Jason Meisner, chicagotribune.com, "‘Why you keep asking me questions?’ Shooting victim charged with contempt as law enforcement struggles with no-snitch code," 27 June 2019 The transaction is outlined in an indictment charging Salcedo with racketeering conspiracy. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, "A $100,000 bribe got teen a UCLA soccer scholarship without even playing," 19 Aug. 2019 Singer has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and other crimes. — Nick Anderson, Washington Post, "U-Va.: ‘Prospect’ of gifts to school appeared to drive recruitment of student-athletes," 9 Aug. 2019 Janke has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and is cooperating with investigators. — Matthew Ormseth, latimes.com, "Surfing executive bribed son’s way into USC for $250,000 in new admissions scandal charges, U.S. attorney says," 28 June 2019 Singer has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of justice. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "The University of California will strengthen its admissions process in light of the college admissions scandal," 21 June 2019 Singer has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of justice. — Faith Karimi And Cheri Mossburg, CNN, "The University of California will strengthen its admissions process in light of the college admissions scandal," 21 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'racketeer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for racketeer
racketeer
noun
English Language Learners Definition of racketeer
: a person who makes money through illegal activities
See the full definition for racketeer in the English Language Learners Dictionary
racketeer
noun
rack·e·teer
| \ ˌra-kə-ˈtir
\
\
Kids Definition of racketeer
: a person who gets money or advantages by using force or threats
racketeer
noun
rack·e·teer
| \ ˌra-kə-ˈtir
\
\
Legal Definition of racketeer
: one that engages in racketeering
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