grifter

[grif-ter]

noun

Slang.

1. a person who operates a side show at a circus, fair, etc., especially a gambling attraction.

2. a swindler, dishonest gambler, or the like.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grifter¹

First recorded in 1910–15; grift + -er ¹

Example Sentences

An increasing number of influencers, crypto grifters, “pick-up artists” and gambling websites have come to realize that male isolation creates incredible profit opportunities.

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The conservative movement has been infected with grifters and demagogues.

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I’m not making any such suggestions about Musk’s embrace of aforementioned English rabble-rouser Tommy Robinson, who is often described as an anti-Muslim or anti-immigrant activist but is really just a shameless professional grifter.

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Winston is a grifter and populist demagogue in the mold of Robert Penn Warren’s Willie Stark, though Mr. Johnson has also taken inspiration from the daily news.

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Not only because he, a lifelong grifter, knew he could win on a platform of hate, but because he truly hates people who don’t praise him.

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