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 astonishing how quickly the nonconformity of crypto turned into mainstream “number go up” speculation and then grift.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026

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 • Dec. 8, 2025

A scientist who’s lost her grant funding, Yeva uses the marriage mart grift to sustain her life’s work.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2025

It tells you the extent of his grift.

From Salon • May 15, 2025

“Let me come along. I can sell tickets. Russ can do anything—he’s young. Give me his job. I can still count, and I don’t short-change. I know you don’t run a grift show.”

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen