noun

antitrust

/ˌæntiˈtrʌst/ · say it: AN·tee·TRUST

laws that prevent monopolies and promote competition

In more detail

1. (adjective) relating to laws that prevent large companies from unfairly controlling markets or eliminating competition

2. (noun) the enforcement of laws against monopolies and unfair business practices

Examples

1. The government filed an antitrust lawsuit against the tech company.
2. The department of justice handles antitrust cases in the United States.

How to use antitrust

Antitrust is used primarily in legal and business contexts to describe laws, regulations, and enforcement actions designed to maintain fair competition and prevent monopolistic practices. It is a formal, technical term most common in American English, though similar concepts exist in other jurisdictions under different names (competition law in the UK and EU). The term refers both to the body of law itself and to efforts to apply it.

Common phrases

antitrust law
antitrust legislation
antitrust enforcement
antitrust violation
antitrust case
antitrust lawsuit

Synonyms

antimonopoly · competition law · competition policy · monopoly regulation

Word family

antitrust (adj./noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse antitrust with anti-trade or think it opposes international trade, when it actually refers specifically to preventing unfair market control by individual companies or cartels.

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