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

“The finance industry is a grift,” is the online headline the New York Times slapped on Oren Cass’s nearly 3,300-word-long screed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Along the way, Cass gives short shrift to the many useful things that the financial industry does that are not a grift.

From The Wall Street Journal

One popular grift involved running improper trades in military license plates, which drivers could abuse to speed through traffic and avoid paying road tolls.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Appeared in the January 9, 2026, print edition as 'Welfare Grift From Minnesota to Mississippi'.

From The Wall Street Journal