usurer
/'ju: r /
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who lends money at excessively high or illegal rates of interest: A usurer is someone who provides loans with interest rates considered unreasonably high, exploitative, or beyond legal limits.
Usage and Examples
- Noun:
- In the story, the poor farmer was trapped in debt to the ruthless usurer.
- Laws were enacted to protect citizens from usurers charging exorbitant fees.
Advanced Usage
- Historical/Legal Context: The term often carries a strong negative connotation, implying exploitation and predatory lending practices. Historically, usury (charging any interest) was condemned by many religions, but modern usage typically refers to excessive interest.
- The novel depicted the usurer as a villain who preyed on the town's desperation.
Variants and Related Words
- Usury (n): The practice of lending money at unreasonably high interest rates.
- The company was accused of usury for its predatory loan terms.
Synonyms
- Loan shark: (Informal) A person who lends money at extremely high interest rates, typically using threats for repayment.
- Moneylender: A more neutral term for someone who lends money, though it can be used in a negative context similar to usurer.
Antonyms
- Philanthropist: A person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money to good causes.
- Benefactor: A person who gives money or other help to a person or cause.
Noun
-
someone who lends money at excessive rates of interest
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