usurious
/ju:'zju ri s/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to or characterized by usury; involving or practicing the lending of money at an excessively high or illegal rate of interest. This is the primary and most specific meaning.
- Greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation; exorbitant. This broader sense describes anything that is unreasonably excessive, often drawing a direct comparison to the high rates of usury.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective (Relating to high interest):
- The desperate borrower had no choice but to accept the lender's usurious terms.
- Many countries have laws against usurious lending practices to protect consumers.
- Adjective (Excessively high, exorbitant):
- The hotel charged usurious prices for bottled water during the festival.
- They criticized the contract for its usurious fees and penalties.
Advanced Usage
- "Usurious interest rate": This is a very common collocation that explicitly names the exorbitant charge.
- The loan was deemed illegal due to its usurious interest rate.
- "Usurious contract": A contract containing unfairly high financial demands.
- The court refused to enforce the usurious contract.
Variants and Related Words
- Usury (n): The practice of lending money at unreasonably high interest rates.
- The ancient laws forbade usury.
- Usurer (n): A person who lends money at excessively high rates of interest.
- The novel portrayed the moneylender as a greedy usurer.
Synonyms
- Exorbitant: (of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high.
- Extortionate: (of a price) much too high; exorbitant.
- Outrageous: Shockingly bad or excessive.
- Unconscionable: Not right or reasonable; excessive. (Often used in legal contexts).
Antonyms
- Fair: In accordance with the rules or standards; just.
- Reasonable: As much as is appropriate or fair; moderate.
- Moderate: Average in amount, intensity, or degree.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Loan sharking: The practice of lending money at extremely high interest rates, typically enforced by threat. (This is a specific, often illegal, form of usury).
- He got into serious trouble after borrowing from a loan shark.
Adjective
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greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
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exorbitant rent
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extortionate prices
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spends an outrageous amount on entertainment
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usurious interest rate
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unconscionable spending
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