Confiscatory

/kənˈfɪskətɔːri/ adjective

Definition

Describing laws, taxes, or actions that involve taking away someone's property, often unfairly or extremely.

Etymology

Derived from 'confiscate' with the Latin adjective suffix '-ory' (tending to, having the nature of). This combines the verb root with a suffix meaning 'tending toward' the action.

Kelly Says

Economists use 'confiscatory' to describe tax rates above 70%—and it's wild that the word itself reveals the outrage embedded in the concept, since confiscatory literally means 'tending to confiscate.'

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