Wildcat (Adjective)

Meaning ¹

Outside the bounds of legitimate or ethical business practices; "wildcat currency issued by irresponsible banks"; "wildcat stock speculation"; "a wildcat airline"; "wildcat life insurance schemes".

Classification

All adjective clusters.

Examples

• The company's wildcat investment strategies led to a series of high-risk deals that ultimately bankrupted the firm.
• The government shut down the wildcat airline for operating without proper licenses or safety protocols.
• The false promises and exaggerated returns on the wildcat life insurance schemes lured in many unsuspecting investors.
• The small town was plagued by wildcat currency issued by local businesses, which caused widespread economic instability.
• The SEC launched an investigation into the wildcat stock speculation ring that had been operating in secret for months.

Meaning ²

(of a mine or oil well) drilled speculatively in an area not known to be productive; "drilling there would be strictly a wildcat operation"; "a wildcat mine"; "wildcat drilling"; "wildcat wells".

Classification

All adjective clusters.

Examples

• The company invested heavily in the new project, which many saw as a wildcat venture with uncertain returns.
• Geologists warned that drilling for oil in the remote region would be a strictly wildcat operation.
• Investors were wary of funding the wildcat mine, given the lack of proven reserves in the area.
• Environmental groups criticized the government for approving wildcat drilling in a sensitive ecosystem.
• The oil company's decision to drill exploratory wells in the area was seen as a wildcat gamble by many industry insiders.

Related Words

• Wildcat (noun)

Meaning ³

Without official authorization; "an unauthorized strike"; "wildcat work stoppage".

Classification

All adjective clusters.

Examples

• The union leaders disavowed the wildcat strike, but many members refused to go back to work.
• In response to the company's layoffs, the employees staged a wildcat walkout and picketed outside the factory gates.
• The wildcat work stoppage by the miners caused a ripple effect in the industry, with other unions considering similar actions.
• The company's attempt to impose new working hours was met with a wildcat slowdown by the employees, who refused to work at the accelerated pace.
• The airline pilots' wildcat strike stranded thousands of passengers and disrupted air travel across the country.

Synonyms

• Unauthorised
• Unauthorized