grift

American  

[grift] / grɪft /

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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of grift

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

Example Sentences

It’s easy to be suspicious of the gains, considering Carvana was in the news earlier this year after famed short-seller Hindenburg Research dubbed it “a father-son accounting grift for the ages.”

From Barron's

That in this his 88th year Thomas Pynchon has published another novel, beginning in 1930s Milwaukee, of all places, packed full of punny names per usual, featuring a lug of a detective, successful with women who flirt as exquisitely as they dance or sing or grift, then shifting to Europe where it can be hard to sort out, from moment to moment, who’s in power, is more than anyone could have hoped for.

From Los Angeles Times

What we have seen this year is new levels of graft and grift.

From The Wall Street Journal

Does that mean there’s a grift element?

From Slate

The grift synergy is relentless.

From Slate