robber baron
The term "robber baron" refers to powerful and wealthy industrialists, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, known for their exploitative practices.
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Definition
C1History
(chiefly US, idiomatic, derogatory)A wealthy and influential industrialist or financier in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, known for using unethical practices to amass wealth.
Example
- Many consider John D. Rockefeller a classic example of a robber baron due to his monopolistic tactics.
C1Business
(derogatory)A businessperson who gains wealth through exploitative and unethical methods, often at the expense of competitors and the public.
Example
- The CEO was labeled a robber baron for his ruthless approach to eliminating competition.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "robber baron":