profiteered
Exploited desperate buyers
Profiteered is the past tense of profiteer, meaning to make excessive profits by exploiting difficult circumstances such as war, scarcity, or crisis.
The term carries strong negative connotations, implying greed and moral failing rather than legitimate business success.
Landlords profiteered during the housing shortage by doubling rents.
Someone who profiteers takes advantage of others' desperation or need, often charging inflated prices for essential goods.
Carved or overcharged
- overchargedCharged excessive amount
- extortedObtained by intimidation
- fleecedDefrauded of money
- swindledDeceived for gain
squeezed · cheated · scammed · scalped · bilked · milked · bled · defrauded
Excessive desire for riches
- rapacityAggressive, seizing greed
- acquisitivenessDesire to gather wealth
- money-grubbingObsessively seeking wealth
- covetousnessExcessive desire for possessions
insatiability · mercenary · usury · exploitation · selfishness · hoarding · opportunism · unscrupulous
Dishonest abuse of power
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
racketeering · malfeasance · swindling · underhanded · unscrupulous · dishonest · shady · crooked
Excessive accumulation of goods
- scalpingResale at inflated prices
- markupAdded percentage for profit
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
- panic-buyingFear-driven excessive purchasing
black-market · stockpiling · opportunism · hyperinflation · necessities
Illicit trading network
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
- shortagesInsufficient quantities available
hoarding · mercenary · munitions · displacement · looting
gouged
Carved or overcharged
- overchargedCharged excessive amount
- extortedObtained by intimidation
- fleecedDefrauded of money
swindled · squeezed · cheated · scammed · scalped · bilked · milked · bled · defrauded · victimized
avarice
Excessive desire for riches
- rapacityAggressive, seizing greed
- acquisitivenessDesire to gather wealth
- money-grubbingObsessively seeking wealth
covetousness · insatiability · mercenary · usury · exploitation · selfishness · hoarding · opportunism · unscrupulous · grasping
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
kickbacks · racketeering · malfeasance · swindling · underhanded · unscrupulous · dishonest · shady · crooked · illicit
hoarding
Excessive accumulation of goods
panic-buying · black-market · stockpiling · opportunism · hyperinflation · necessities
black-market
Illicit trading network
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
shortages · hoarding · mercenary · munitions · displacement · looting
profiteeredhelped
Gave aid to
donated · sacrificed · gave away · gifted · contributed
- war profiteersThose enriched by military conflicts
- war profiteeringExploiting conflict for gain