blockbusting

noun

block·​bust·​ing ˈbläk-ˌbə-stiŋ 

: profiteering by inducing property owners to sell hastily and often at a loss by appeals to fears of depressed values because of threatened minority encroachment and then reselling at inflated prices

Examples of blockbusting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Realtors were happy to capitalize on racial fears through practices including blockbusting and steering. —Steven Litt, cleveland, 18 Aug. 2023

The Federal Housing Administration, commercial banks, and developers colluded to keep Black people out of certain neighborhoods by redlining and refusing to insure mortgages, and exploited them by flipping houses in white neighborhoods at higher prices, a practice known as blockbusting. —Jillian Steinhauer, The New Republic, 22 Aug. 2022

The world's largest bourbon and music festival returns to Louisville with a blockbusting line-up featuring several rock icons, and Kentucky's finest mash and celebrity chefs. —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 12 Aug. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

blockbusting

noun

block·​bust·​ing

: profiteering by inducing property owners to sell hastily and often at a loss by appeals to fears of lowered values because of threatened minority encroachment and then reselling at inflated prices

Note: Many states have statutes prohibiting blockbusting by real estate agents.