Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
ill-gotten gains
Phrase
/ˌɪl ˈɡɑːtən ɡeɪnz/
Definition
Wealth or profits gained through dishonest or illegal means.
Examples
- The authorities seized the suspect’s ill-gotten gains during the raid.
- She was found guilty of embezzling funds and using her ill-gotten gains to buy luxury items.
- The politician was forced to resign after evidence of his ill-gotten gains came to light.
Meaning
The term refers to money or assets that have been obtained through unethical methods, such as fraud, theft, or corruption.
Synonyms
- unlawful profits
- ill-acquired wealth
- fraudulent profits
- booty
- spoils
