Usury
noun
The act of lending money at extremely high interest rates.
The unscrupulous lender was charged with usury for exploiting desperate borrowers.
Often appears as...
- charged with usury
- accused of usury
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A high or illegal interest rate.
His usury was deemed unlawful and his assets were seized.
Often appears as...
- unlawful usury
- illegal usury
Usage tips
Formal
noun
The act of lending money at extremely high interest rates.
The unscrupulous lender was charged with usury for exploiting desperate borrowers.
Often appears as...
- charged with usury
- accused of usury
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A high or illegal interest rate.
His usury was deemed unlawful and his assets were seized.
Often appears as...
- unlawful usury
- illegal usury
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Nuance
Usury has a very negative connotation and implies unethical behavior by the lender.
The community despised the man's usury.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Context
Historically, usury was any interest charged, but now it refers to excessive rates.
In medieval times, usury was condemned by the church.
Pro Tip 3/3Legal Term
Usury is often used in legal contexts to discuss laws regulating interest rates.
The lawyer argued that the bank's high rates constituted usury.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Nuance
Usury has a very negative connotation and implies unethical behavior by the lender.
The community despised the man's usury.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Context
Historically, usury was any interest charged, but now it refers to excessive rates.
In medieval times, usury was condemned by the church.
Pro Tip 3/3Legal Term
Usury is often used in legal contexts to discuss laws regulating interest rates.
The lawyer argued that the bank's high rates constituted usury.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Nuance
Usury has a very negative connotation and implies unethical behavior by the lender.
The community despised the man's usury.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Context
Historically, usury was any interest charged, but now it refers to excessive rates.
In medieval times, usury was condemned by the church.
Pro Tip 3/3Legal Term
Usury is often used in legal contexts to discuss laws regulating interest rates.
The lawyer argued that the bank's high rates constituted usury.
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Quote examples
John Maynard Keynes
English Economist
For at least another hundred years we must pretend to ourselves and to every one that fair is foul and foul is fair; for foul is useful and fair is not. Avarice and usury and precaution must be our gods for a little longer still.
Quote examples
Pliny the Elder
Roman Author
The invention of money opened a new field to human avarice by giving rise to usury and the practice of lending money at interest while the owner passes a life of idleness.
Quote examples
Bernie Sanders
American Politician
States used to protect consumers from predatory lenders, but strong state usury laws were obliterated by a 1978 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Quote examples
Pramila Jayapal
American Politician
Profiting from student loans is usury, and we just can't continue to allow it.
Quote examples
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Canadian Politician
Usury once in control will wreck the nation.
Quote examples
John Maynard Keynes
English Economist
For at least another hundred years we must pretend to ourselves and to every one that fair is foul and foul is fair; for foul is useful and fair is not. Avarice and usury and precaution must be our gods for a little longer still.
Quote examples
Pliny the Elder
Roman Author
The invention of money opened a new field to human avarice by giving rise to usury and the practice of lending money at interest while the owner passes a life of idleness.
Quote examples
Bernie Sanders
American Politician
States used to protect consumers from predatory lenders, but strong state usury laws were obliterated by a 1978 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Quote examples
Pramila Jayapal
American Politician
Profiting from student loans is usury, and we just can't continue to allow it.
Quote examples
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Canadian Politician
Usury once in control will wreck the nation.
Example 1 of 5
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