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Meaning & use

racketeering

noun·Advancedlegal

Last updated

UK/ˌrækəˈtɪərɪŋ/
US/ˌrækəˈtɪrɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. noununcountablelegal

    The running of illegal businesses or schemes, especially by an organized group that uses threats, bribery or fraud to make money.

    Grammar: Uncountable: he was charged with racketeering, not a racketeering.

    Patterns

    • charged with racketeering
    • racketeering in something

    Several officials were arrested on charges of racketeering.

    Prosecutors say the gang financed its racketeering through illegal gambling.

    The family business was a front for racketeering.

  2. noununcountablelegal

    The crime of forcing businesses to pay money for protection or to avoid harm.

    Grammar: Often linked with extortion in news reports.

    Patterns

    • racketeering and extortion

    Shop owners reported racketeering by local thugs.

    The union leader was convicted of racketeering and extortion.

    Police broke up a racketeering operation that targeted restaurants.

Common combinations

racketeering charges
He faces racketeering charges in federal court.
convicted of racketeering
The boss was convicted of racketeering.
a racketeering conspiracy
The indictment alleges a racketeering conspiracy.
labor racketeering
Labor racketeering once plagued the docks.
racketeering and extortion
The pair were charged with racketeering and extortion.

Synonyms and how they differ

extortion
Extortion is the act of getting money by threats, and may be just one part of racketeering.
organized crime
Organized crime names the groups, whereas racketeering names the activity they carry out.
graft
Graft is dishonest gain through corrupt use of power, not necessarily violent.
protection racket
A protection racket is a specific scheme, while racketeering is the broader crime.

Word family

racketeer noun
a person who engages in racketeering
racket noun
an illegal scheme to make money
racketeer verb
to engage in racketeering, rare as a verb

Commonly confused: racketeering or racquet? racketeering or racket?

racketeering vs racquet

A racquet (or racket) is the bat used in tennis; racketeering has nothing to do with sport.

racketeering vs racket

A racket can mean a loud noise or an illegal scheme; racketeering uses the scheme meaning.

Practice

A gang forcing local shops to pay money to stay safe is an example of ___.

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