grift

[grift]

noun

1. (sometimes used with a plural verb),  a group of methods for obtaining money falsely through the use of swindles, frauds, dishonest gambling, etc.

2. money obtained from such practices.

verb (used without object)

1. to profit by the use of grift.

   a man known to have grifted for many years.

verb (used with object)

1. to obtain (money or other profit) by grift.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grift¹

First recorded in 1910–15; perhaps alteration of graft ²

Example Sentences

Does that mean there’s a grift element?

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The grift synergy is relentless.

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At this point, the right-wing grift is predictable to the point of tedium.

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Grift and greed have deadly consequences in Megan Abbott’s ‘El Dorado Drive,’ a mystery about suburban women caught up in a pyramid scheme called the Wheel.

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Garcia calls it “enormous grift” and “huge steps backward for our democracy.”

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