noun
usury
YOO-zhuh-ree/ˈjuːʒəri/
Lending money at illegally or excessively high interest.
The lender faces charges of usury for charging illegally high interest.
Etymology
Latin usura connected interest with payment for the use of money. Usury originally meant lending at interest generally, then narrowed to lending at excessive rates.
In context
When Francis condemned usury, he was not calling for the elimination of interest. Even the Vatican has investments that generate returns. He was calling for limits, fairness, some recognition that profiting from desperation is still wrong.
More examples
- State laws against usury limit what lenders can charge.
- She accuses the lender of usury after reviewing the loan terms.
- Critics condemn the costly loans as usury, even though they are legal.
Forms
usurer noun — A person who lends at excessive interest.
usurious adjective — Charging illegally or excessively high interest.
Similar words
- loan-sharking
- Usually involves illegal lenders and may include threats to collect.