muckrake

[ muhk-reyk ]

/ ˈmʌkˌreɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR muckrake ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), muck·raked, muck·rak·ing.

to search for and expose real or alleged corruption, scandal, or the like, especially in politics.

Nearby words

Origin of muckrake

1675–85; obsolete muck rake a rake for use on muck or dung. See muck, rake¹

Related formsmuck·rak·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for muckraker

Honestly, most of the posts and tweets that matter trace their way back to an ink-stained finger on some muckraker somewhere.
A U.S. Thanksgiving—Family Style: Fractious but Friendly|Joshua DuBois|November 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Muckraker Roberto Saviano summed it up perfectly last week when he spoke at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia.
My Ordeal Reporting Sexism Truth|Barbie Latza Nadeau|April 18, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Instead, the muckraker only seemed to grow bolder and more dangerous with his every revelation.
Nixon White House Plotted to Kill Columnist|Mark Feldstein|September 15, 2010|DAILY BEAST
And when the term "muckraker" came into use, I remember his deep satisfaction.
The Harbor|Ernest Poole

For some moments the muckraker considered the statement thoughtfully.
Once Upon A Time|Richard Harding Davis
Muckraker: One who sits on the fence and defames American enterprise as it marches by.
The Roycroft Dictionary|Elbert Hubbard
It was a relief not to be accepted only as Everett the Muckraker, as a professional reformer, as one holier than others.
Once Upon A Time|Richard Harding Davis
A loyal Adopted Son of California, a novelist and muckraker, returned a few years ago to the beloved land of his adoption.
The Native Son|Inez Haynes Irwin

British Dictionary definitions for muckraker

muckrake

/ (ˈmʌkˌreɪk) /

noun

an agricultural rake for spreading manure

verb

(intr) to seek out and expose scandal, esp concerning public figures

Derived Formsmuckraker, nounmuckraking, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for muckraker

muckraker

c.1600, "one who rakes muck," from muck (n.) + agent noun from rake (v.). Meaning "one who inquires into and publishes scandal and allegations of corruption among political and business leaders," popularized 1906 in speech by President Theodore Roosevelt, in reference to "man ... with a Muckrake in his hand" in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" (1684) who seeks worldly gain by raking filth.

The men with the muck-rakes are often indispensable to the well-being of society, but only if they know when to stop raking the muck. [T. Roosevelt, quoted in "Cincinnati Enquirer," April 15, 1906.]

Muckrake in sense "person who hunts scandal" is attested from 1872. To muckrake (v.) in the literal sense is from 1879; figuratively from 1910. Related: Muckraking.

muckrake

verb (used without object), muck·raked, muck·rak·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of muckrake

Examples from the Web for muckraker

British Dictionary definitions for muckraker

muckrake

noun

verb

Word Origin and History for muckraker

muckraker