1. charging or involving extremely high or illegal interest rates on loans
Usage: formal; legal/financial contexts

Examples

• The loan shark was convicted of usurious lending practices.
• Many states have laws against usurious interest rates.
• The credit card company faced criticism for its usurious fees.
• Small businesses often fall victim to usurious lenders.
• The court ruled that a 40% annual interest rate was usurious.
• Consumer advocates warned against usurious payday loans.