rhizoverbBeta
DictionarylucreIll-gotten profit
noun

lucre

LOO-ker/ˈluːkər/

Money or profit regarded as dishonestly or shamefully gained.

The crooked officials care more about lucre than public service.

A secret dishonest payment is passed under a table between fictional adults, no ethnic stereotype or real person.
Etymology
lucreLatingain, profit, wealth

Lucrum meant material gain or wealth without necessarily condemning it. English lucre became especially associated with unworthy gain and wealth pursued greedily, giving the word its dishonorable coloring.

In context

Ion Books55:03
very good woman, but she had aspirations in the direction of filthy lucre on behalf of her children
The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope - Part 1/3 | Full Audiobook with Scrolling Text

More examples

  • She refuses to trade her principles for filthy lucre.
  • The scheme funnels lucre into the owner's private account.
  • He accuses the company of chasing lucre at patients' expense.

Forms

lucrative adjective — Producing a large amount of profit.

Similar words

loot
Usually means money or valuables taken by theft.
profit
Names financial gain without necessarily suggesting dishonesty or shame.