racketeer 1 of 2

noun

ˌra-kə-ˈtir How to pronounce racketeer (audio)
Definition of racketeernext
as in gangster
a person who gets money from another by using force or threats the racketeer threatened to have his thugs vandalize the shop if the shopkeeper didn't pay him a monthly bribe

Synonyms & Similar Words

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racketeer

2 of 2

verb

as in to blackmail

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of racketeer
Noun
In a police photograph, Lansky stood next to racketeer Charles (Lucky) Luciano. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025 Oh yeah, this relationship with this 38-year-old racketeer is so beautiful. — Michael Cuby, Them, 1 Aug. 2024
Verb
Each man pleaded guilty to racketeering enterprise conspiracy, or RICO, charges that were brought last September as the third indictment in a sweeping MS-13 case first opened in 2017. — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 15 July 2025 The case for racketeering conspiracy Prosecutors’ toughest challenge will likely be securing a conviction on the racketeering conspiracy charge, experts agreed, citing its complexity and the novelty of its application in the Combs case. — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for racketeer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racketeer
  1. gangster
  2. blackmail
  3. thug
  4. extort
  5. blackmailer
  6. muscle
  7. extortionist
  8. coerce
Noun
  • Karp was also involved in the sale last week of a $21 million lot on Palm Island where a mansion owned by gangster Al Capone once stood.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The bodies start piling up – and business booms – but the growing enterprise puts the trio in the crosshairs of the powerful gangsters and underworld figures in the lawless border town of Saribgunj.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of gangster
Verb
  • An announcement that is taking the blame game to great heights or lows, depending on your POV and who is blackmailing who — to paraphrase Bonta banger of earlier this week.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Group members will often blackmail victims by threatening to make swatting calls at their home address and have also been known to coerce minors into placing swatting calls themselves.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of blackmail
Noun
  • Tae-ha’s mom left him after Sang-gil, who was also a boxer prior to becoming a thug, cheated in a match.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Shortly after his big win, he’s attacked by two thugs in a parking garage.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
Definition of thug
Verb
  • In his report, Prescott said there is evidence substantiating the claim that Rodriguez-Mendez was extorting Guaranda.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Dowen also admitted to using threats and violence against a victim and their family to extort the victim for millions of dollars and a drug-manufacturing recipe.
    — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of extort
Noun
  • Apple’s decision to briefly remove Telegram from the App Store has been blamed on a blackmailer duping the company into executing a takedown, according to Telegram’s CEO.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The blackmailer continues to call her, demanding money in exchange for keeping her cam-boy secrets.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Definition of blackmailer
Verb
  • The action spilled to the outside, and Wagner muscled Dragon Lee back into the ring with a powerbomb.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, SpaceX and Meta have muscled their way into the AI elite ranks, further piling the pressure on the leading frontier labs.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of muscle
Noun
  • The restaurant owner, who did not wish to be identified because his family is still in India, said extortionists have threatened to kill them.
    — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
  • Insulted, Beth calls her an extortionist and walks out.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Definition of extortionist
Verb
  • Attorney Jesse Dreicer suggested Tenon made false statements and his confession to the shooting was coerced.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Shuter also pointed out that Pitt was clearly not coerced into talking about his drinking by a pushy magazine writer.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of coerce

Browse Nearby Words

racketed
racketeer
racketeered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Racketeer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racketeer. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of racketeer for Spanish Speakers

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