usurious

adjective

usu·​ri·​ous yu̇-ˈzhu̇r-ē-əs  -ˈzu̇r- 

1

: practicing usury

2

: involving usury : of the character of usury

usurious interest rates

usuriously adverb

usuriousness noun

Examples of usurious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This has fueled rampant consumer inflation across sectors amidst rising consumer unease and usurious 14% interest rates. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 30 July 2026

Or helping the Loop by reducing those usurious evening parking rates that confound theater and concert goers and undermine our arts audiences. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2026

In September, the Mets were running through pitchers at a usurious rate. — Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Oct. 2025

Food inflation in Russia is around 25%, interest rates on loans is a usurious 25%, and lending has come to a near complete halt, making ordinary life unbearable and unaffordable for normal Russians. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for usurious

• luxurious

Kids Definition

usurious

adjective

usu·​ri·​ous yu̇-ˈzhu̇r-ē-əs  -ˈzu̇r- 

: practicing, involving, or being usury

usurious interest

Legal Definition

usurious

adjective

usu·​ri·​ous yu̇-ˈzhu̇r-ē-əs 

1

: practicing usury

2

: involving usury

usurious interest

usuriously adverb

usuriousness noun