Profiteer

A profiteer is an individual or organization that seeks to gain excessive profit through unethical or exploitative means, often during times of crisis, such as war, natural disasters, or economic downturns. Profiteering typically involves price gouging or taking advantage of consumers' desperate situations, leading to public outrage and legal scrutiny. The term often carries a negative connotation due to its association with greed and lack of social responsibility.

Profiteer meaning with examples

• During the pandemic, some companies were accused of being profiteers after dramatically raising the prices of essential medical supplies, leading to public outrage and calls for regulation against price gouging.
• In the aftermath of the hurricane, a few unscrupulous contractors acted as profiteers by overcharging vulnerable homeowners for repairs, taking advantage of their urgent need for safety and shelter.
• The government launched an investigation into several oil companies suspected of profiteering during the oil crisis, as fuel prices surged significantly while global demand plummeted.
• Activists organized a campaign aimed at educating the public about opportunistic profiteers who exploit economic downturns, encouraging consumers to support ethical businesses instead.
• The war profiteers facing criticism faced public backlash for supplying overpriced equipment to the military, raising ethical concerns about their role in the ongoing conflict.