noun

racketeering

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Racketeering (noun) means the crime of operating an illegal, organized scheme for profit, especially through extortion, fraud, or other repeated illegal activity. Example: “The mob boss was convicted of racketeering and tax evasion.”

noun

The crime of operating an illegal, organized scheme for profit, especially through extortion, fraud, or other repeated illegal activity.

"The mob boss was convicted of racketeering and tax evasion."

"Federal racketeering laws let prosecutors target entire criminal organizations, not just individuals."

How to use racketeering

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRunning an organized criminal enterprise for profit — the crime targeted by laws like the US RICO Act.

Common pairings

racketeering charges convicted of racketeering organized crime and racketeering

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: racketeerings

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The mob boss was convicted of _____ and tax evasion.

Etymology

Coined in Chicago in the late 1920s to describe organized crime's grip on labor unions and businesses, from "racket" in the sense of a criminal scheme.

· First attested 1920

Class of 1920 racketeering joined the language around 1920.

beautician bingo capacitor doofus genome

See the full Class of 1920 →

Rhymes for racketeering

peering tapering lowering covering offering entering altering cheering steering uttering ordering towering

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Frequently asked questions

What does “racketeering” mean?

The word “racketeering” means the crime of operating an illegal, organized scheme for profit, especially through extortion, fraud, or other repeated illegal activity. In plain terms, running an organized criminal enterprise for profit — the crime targeted by laws like the US RICO Act.

How do you use “racketeering” in a sentence?

Here is “racketeering” used in a sentence: “The mob boss was convicted of racketeering and tax evasion.”

What part of speech is “racketeering”?

“Racketeering” is a noun.

Where does the word “racketeering” come from?

The word “racketeering” dates back to around 1920. Coined in Chicago in the late 1920s to describe organized crime's grip on labor unions and businesses, from "racket" in the sense of a criminal scheme.